Trump’s diesel export threat meets a shrug in fuel-strapped Europe

European authorities have dismissed concerns over the potential US ban on diesel exports, despite warnings of severe consequences for Europe's energy supply. Reports suggest White House is preparing a 90-day ban, which would significantly impact Europe's supply of diesel used in heavy transport and industry. In March, the U.S. supplied 420,000 barrels of diesel to EU countries, accounting for more than half of total imports.

Europe's reliance on the U.S. has grown following the Strait of Hormuz closure and reduced imports from Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. European industry sources stated that any further restrictions on fuel at this stage could be very serious, as diesel inventories are already under pressure. European officials either downplayed the risk, said it was unlikely to happen, or weren't aware of the threat.

Czech trade minister Karel Havlíček believed the ban wouldn't materialize due to potential negative impacts on world markets, while Germany's spokesperson declined to comment on the specific threat, emphasizing the importance of maintaining security of supply. U.K. officials assured that forecourts were supplied with petrol and diesel as normal, while a British Labour MP expressed concern over the potential price impact if the U.S. restricted diesel supply.