TLDR
- Trump’s economic advisers are studying the impact of a possible short-term ban on US diesel exports.
- Average US diesel prices hit $6.52 a gallon on Wednesday, up 76% from a year ago.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright says a ban would not work and could raise gasoline and jet fuel prices instead.
- Farm-state lawmakers want action during harvest season, when diesel demand is high.
- Oil and refining groups sent a letter to Trump urging him to reject any export ban.
President Donald Trump’s economic team is studying what would happen if the US placed a short-term ban on diesel exports. The analysis is being led by National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
🇺🇸UPDATE: White House denies a 90-day diesel export ban, just a day after Trump called for a ban.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has instead contacted executives at several major refiners to gauge support for voluntary export cuts, per Reuters.
“The blunt tool of banning diesel… https://t.co/rgLqatZLJe pic.twitter.com/YEzomHCrp6
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) September 24, 2026
Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota said the study is meant to help guide the administration’s decision. He said the review focuses on whether a short-term ban would help during harvest season.
Diesel prices have climbed to record levels this year. The increase is tied to the war between Israel and Iran, along with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Diesel Prices Squeeze Farmers and Truckers
Average US diesel prices reached $6.52 a gallon on Wednesday. That is a 76% jump from the same time last year, according to AAA.
Diesel powers farm equipment, freight trains, delivery vans, and long-haul trucks. The high cost is hitting farmers hardest right as fall harvest season begins.
Farm-state lawmakers have pushed Trump to limit diesel exports. They argue that keeping more fuel inside the country could ease prices for agricultural workers.
Rising fuel costs are also becoming a political issue. Voters are frustrated with the cost of living ahead of the November midterm elections.
Energy Secretary Pushes Back on Ban Idea
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said an export ban would not solve the problem. He made the comment at an event hosted by The Economist in New York.
Wright said blocking diesel exports could force refiners to slow down production. That, he said, would push up prices for gasoline and jet fuel instead.
“If you can’t export the diesel that comes out of our refineries, you run out of places to store it,” Wright said. He said refiners would then have to cut output.
Wright said the administration is instead working with refiners on a voluntary plan to raise domestic diesel supply. He did not share details of that plan.
The Department of Energy said Wright remains aligned with Trump. The agency said all options to lower energy prices are still being explored.
Not everyone in the administration supports a ban. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said last week that a ban could trigger retaliation from countries that export fuel to the US.
Burgum said that retaliation could hurt states like California, which relies on some imported fuel.
The oil and refining industry is also against the idea. Thirty six industry and business groups, including the American Petroleum Institute and the US Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to Trump this week.
The letter said US refiners are already running near full capacity. It said they are producing more diesel than the country uses.
“Export bans would lead to less fuel production, tighter supplies, and rising costs for American families, farmers, and truckers,” the letter states.
US refineries were running at about 94% of capacity last week, based on data from the Energy Information Administration. Analysts at TACenergy said a ban could reduce output of gasoline and other fuel products too.
Trump has not made a final decision. He told reporters Tuesday that he had recommended the export limit to his advisers, but no timeline for the economic study has been made public.
A White House official said Trump wants to see prices at the pump fall and is reviewing every option available.
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