White House denies plan to ban US diesel exports

On September 23, 2026, the White House officially denied a report suggesting the U.S. government is preparing a 90-day ban on diesel exports to control rising fuel prices. The clarification followed a Politico report that claimed such a measure was under consideration to address record-high diesel costs, which reached an average of $6.52 per gallon. Following the denial, U.S. ultra-low-sulfur diesel futures dropped by 4% to $4.7437 per gallon.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright previously stated that a blanket export ban would be ineffective and could potentially cause spikes in the prices of gasoline and aviation fuel. While the administration rejected a total ban, Secretary Wright noted that the government is exploring voluntary measures. The market pressure stems from U.S. diesel inventories dropping to below 97 million barrels, approximately 13% below the five-year seasonal average. These shortages are exacerbated by global supply constraints linked to ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, which have disrupted exports from major producers including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Despite the White House's denial, the topic remains politically sensitive. President Trump had previously expressed support for an export ban, a position echoed by several Republican candidates ahead of the November elections. The administration continues to monitor the situation, focusing on alternative solutions to stabilize the domestic market.