Business and energy groups warned President Donald Trump in a letter that diesel export limits would cut production, tighten supplies and raise costs for consumers. Trump is weighing the idea; AAA said diesel averaged $6.51 per gallon nationwide Thursday.
Signers included the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers and American Petroleum Institute, among dozens of organizations. Trump said Tuesday he had raised the idea with his team. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said officials are studying whether a ban is feasible given overall refining capacity and whether a full or partial ban would work. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said discussions focus on sending more diesel into the U.S. while keeping other fuel flows steady, and that nobody wants a blanket ban or zero exports.
After Politico reported that the White House was drafting a 90-day ban, diesel futures and refiner shares fell Wednesday. Energy experts cautioned that a ban might briefly lower prices in some regions before refiners cut output and costs rise again. Global supplies are already stretched, the article says: Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries led Moscow to halt exports, while attacks by Iran and its Houthi allies disrupted Middle East refining and Strait of Hormuz shipments.
