The White House is threatening NATO allies Germany and France for refusing to release diesel fuel from their emergency inventories. “US officials said France and Germany could be cut off from future US diesel exports.
Reuters first reported the US threat to its allies on Thursday after speaking with three people familiar with the discussions. A US official speaking with The New York Post explained, “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.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Politico that the US is asking the European Union to release 120 million barrels of diesel fuel, more than 40% of the bloc’s emergency diesel stocks. Wright said the proposal was an alternative to a total export ban on US diesel.
The EU’s energy task force plans to hold a call on Friday about the bloc potentially tapping further into its members’ fuel reserves.
The dispute comes amid broader tensions between Washington and its European allies over the US-Israeli war against Iran. The conflict has also increased pressure on European fuel supplies as Middle Eastern exports have fallen.
Europe has already suffered an increase in fuel prices as sanctions against Russia and the War in Ukraine have cut the nations off from Russian oil. The war against Iran has added further upward pressure on the price of fuel as Middle East oil supplies have been significantly reduced since the start of the conflict.
Trump is attempting to push down US diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections in early November. Diesel hit a record high of $6.53 per gallon last week.
