Trump Backs Diesel Export Ban as Record Prices Pressure Washington

President Donald Trump said on September 22 that he had called for a ban on U.S. diesel exports, telling reporters he has raised the idea with his team and adding "I've called for that too" when asked about the proposal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is actively examining whether such a ban is feasible, marking the first time a senior economic official has publicly confirmed the policy is under formal review.

The comments come as diesel has hit record prices and a growing number of Republican lawmakers are pushing for an export ban. Senator Chuck Grassley and Representative Tim Burchett are among those who have publicly demanded action, arguing that high diesel costs are devastating farmers and truckers. Trump also linked the price pressure to the war in Ukraine, saying strikes on refining capacity inside Russia are "a serious hit on the Russians and a serious hit on diesel prices," and that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy are working toward a deal to end the conflict.

Despite Trump's comments, a White House official separately told CNN that the administration is not currently considering an export ban or export restrictions, creating an apparent tension between the president's public remarks and the official White House position. Critics including the Institute for Energy Research warn that a ban could ultimately worsen prices by stranding Gulf Coast diesel supplies that pipeline infrastructure cannot easily reroute to other U.S. markets.