UK Weighs Coordinated Fuel Reserve Release as Trump Threatens US Diesel Export Ban

Britain has opened discussions with its European counterparts about the possibility of releasing additional strategic fuel reserves, including diesel, should global supplies come under further strain, according to information obtained by the BBC. The talks reflect growing unease among European governments over the potential fallout from a proposed American export ban that could tighten an already fragile international market.

The conversations follow a warning from US President Donald Trump that he is considering halting diesel shipments abroad in an attempt to bring down record fuel prices for American motorists. Trump told reporters at the weekend that his administration was giving the idea serious consideration, and on Thursday he suggested that European nations could be asked to draw down their own stockpiles to help stabilise the market.

His Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, went further, urging European partners to act without delay. In a social media post, Bessent said those countries should accelerate the delivery of existing commitments and make additional supplies available immediately to address what he described as ongoing disruptions. He argued that American farmers, truck drivers and businesses should not be left to bear the burden of a worldwide diesel shortage.

Energy Minister Martin McCluskey joined a call with European counterparts on Thursday to discuss the implications of a possible US export ban. A source familiar with the discussions told the BBC that preparing a coordinated response alongside other nations, including EU members, was a sensible precaution. The same source noted that some European reserves remain from a joint release of strategic fuel stocks carried out earlier in the year.

A government spokesperson sought to reassure the public, stating that the UK has a diverse and resilient supply chain and that ministers continue to engage with international partners and the domestic fuel industry. The government has stressed there is no immediate cause for concern about shortages, though it acknowledges that prices are likely to climb further.

The backdrop to these talks is a dramatic surge in global petrol and diesel prices since the outbreak of the US-Israel war in Iran in February. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that normally carries around one-fifth of the world's oil and gas, has driven up the cost of refined products. An export ban imposed by Russia, another major diesel supplier, has compounded the pressure.

The United States plays an outsized role in the global diesel market, exporting between 1.2 million and 1.5 million barrels per day. Experts caution that restricting those shipments could push prices higher in importing countries, intensifying the financial pain for consumers and businesses alike. David Fyfe, chief economist at Argus Media, said cutting off American supply would likely cause international prices to skyrocket.

Diesel prices in the UK reached an all-time high this week, with figures from motoring organisation the RAC showing the average pump price at 199.79 pence per litre. That compares with 142.38 pence previously, a rise that has added to household and business costs. Diesel is more difficult to refine than petrol and is widely used by the haulage and agricultural sectors, making demand hard to reduce in the short term.

The UK is heavily reliant on imports to meet its diesel needs. Although the country's four refineries produce more than enough petrol to satisfy domestic demand, they do not generate sufficient diesel. According to the Department for Transport, there were 15.1 million diesel vehicles on UK roads at the end of June, down from 15.7 million a year earlier, with diesel cars accounting for 9.8 million of that total, a decline from 10.4 million.

Trump has argued that keeping surplus diesel barrels in the US would lower pump prices at home, offering immediate relief to drivers, truckers and businesses ahead of the midterm elections. Critics counter that such a move would disrupt global trade flows and could ultimately harm American exporters without solving the underlying supply problems caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

A European Commission spokesperson said on Thursday that there had been numerous calls and meetings on the diesel situation, including high-level contacts with the US administration. The comments suggest that diplomatic channels remain active as officials on both sides of the Atlantic try to manage the crisis and avoid a tit-for-tat escalation.

For UK drivers and industry, the coming weeks will be closely watched. Any coordinated release of reserves could provide temporary relief at the pumps, but analysts warn that strategic stockpiles are finite and cannot offset a prolonged disruption to global supply. The government's message of resilience may be tested if the US proceeds with an export ban and prices continue their upward trajectory.