Is the U.S. Using Diesel as Leverage, Leaving Europe Gasping?
The United States is pressuring Europe, particularly France and Germany, to act. Washington has called on the EU to release 120 million barrels of emergency diesel reserves within the next six months, placing them on the market to help curb rapidly rising global diesel prices. The U.S. has also signaled it may restrict diesel exports if European nations fail to comply—potentially making fuel even harder to obtain in Europe.
Why the urgency? With the November midterm elections approaching, President Trump seeks to lower domestic diesel prices to bolster voter support. Both the U.S. and Europe are experiencing record-high diesel prices. In the third week of September, the average U.S. price exceeded $6.50 per gallon—$2.60 higher than the same period last year. In the EU, prices reached €2.23 per liter. Texas has been especially hard hit: the state governor declared a statewide disaster emergency, with some gas stations running out of fuel or imposing strict rationing and steep price hikes.
Global supply chains are also under strain. Military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz; Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries have led to curtailed fuel exports; China has suspended fuel exports for October, prioritizing domestic stockpiles.
Europe remains particularly vulnerable. It has largely severed ties with Russian fuel supplies and become increasingly reliant on American imports. In September, Europe’s diesel imports fell to around 1 million barrels per day—the lowest level on record. The U.S. now supplies 41% of Europe’s diesel imports. European refineries are operating near full capacity, while low Rhine River levels are hampering inland transport. France has requested temporary relaxation of diesel quality standards to allow greater blending with bio-components, potentially boosting output by up to 20%.
European governments are urgently convening meetings. The requested 120 million barrels represent about 40% of the EU’s emergency diesel reserves, with France and Germany holding roughly 35% of the bloc’s strategic stockpile. France has proposed releasing 50 million barrels from European reserves, with an additional 50 million barrels to be released by International Energy Agency members, while urging the U.S. to commit not to unilaterally ban exports. After a call between Macron and Trump, both sides expressed support for coordinated action “without export restrictions.” Yet uncertainty remains over whether the U.S. will actually impose export controls—and whether Europe will be willing to draw down its own stocks.
At its core, this is energy politics. With the midterms looming, the U.S. is attempting to suppress domestic fuel prices by shifting pressure onto Europe: you release your reserves, I preserve my exports; you resist, and I may cut off supply. For Europe, this amounts to a form of “allied coercion.” Having severed Russian oil imports due to the Ukraine war and pivoted toward American suppliers, it now finds itself more dependent on the U.S., with diminished bargaining power.
If the U.S. were to actually restrict exports, it might temporarily ease domestic prices—but would push up global diesel costs, harm the European economy, and erode trust among allies. Irony deepens: while demanding that Europe release reserves to stabilize markets, the U.S. is simultaneously considering erecting its own export barriers—a clear case of double standards.
Europe’s dilemma lies in balancing two risks: refusing to release reserves could risk supply cutoffs; releasing too much weakens its own winter and emergency readiness. A rational path forward would involve coordinated reserve releases, expanded refining capacity, temporary regulatory adjustments, diversification of import sources, and a binding commitment from the U.S. not to impose unilateral export bans. But the underlying issue remains: global diesel supply chains are becoming increasingly politicized, energy security increasingly dependent on geopolitical deals, and market dynamics increasingly shaped by electoral cycles and warfare.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877951932741643/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.