US tells France and Germany to release diesel stocks or face US export ban, sources say

The Trump administration has told Germany and ‌France to release emergency diesel stocks to help ease global fuel prices or face a potential US diesel export ban, three people close to the discussions said.

The warning marks an escalation of pressure on Europe as US President Donald ​Trump considers a potential diesel export ban to bring down US fuel prices ahead of November's ​midterm elections.

The European Commission, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland and Britain were holding a call ⁠on Thursday to discuss the possible need to release diesel stocks, an EU official told Reuters.

A second source, based in a European capital, said that the ​US has asked the EU to release 120 million barrels of diesel in the next six months.

A release of that magnitude would mean drawing down more than 40% of the current 39 million metric tonnes of emergency gasoil and diesel stocks held by EU states, according to the latest available Eurostat data, for May 2025.

Germany held 5.6 million tonnes and France 8.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2025 ‌data, meaning ⁠the two countries together accounted for about 35% of the EU's strategic reserves.

Diesel prices have ​surged to record or near-record levels in several markets, including in Europe, turning the fuel ⁠into a political and economic concern because it underpins trucking, agriculture and industry.

The US administration ​has been particularly frustrated with France and Germany, which US officials believe have not fully followed through on ​earlier commitments to release emergency oil and petroleum stocks, Reuters has reported previously.

"It is in Europe's best interest to work with the United States as we pursue multiple pathways to boost the supply of refined products and lower costs for consumers," one ​of the sources, a US official, told Reuters.

Europe has become increasingly dependent on US fuel after banning ⁠Russian imports following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and after the US-Israeli war with Iran disrupted supplies from the Middle East.