The European Commission is observing with concern US plans that are reported to have been announced to ban diesel exports, including to the EU, Olof Gill, Deputy Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission, said on Thursday 24 September. Such disruption could have negative repercussions for both sides, he regretted.

US media outlet Politico reported, on Wednesday, on a plan by the US administration to ban diesel exports for 90 days, with the aim of bringing down energy prices ahead of the US midterm elections. We expect close partners to consult each other before adopting measures likely to affect markets they share, Olof Gill added. High-level contacts between European Union and the US administration are under way, he specified.

The United States is a major diesel supplier. In August, it accounted for 50% of European imports of this product, the Commission confirmed. If the US plans were actually implemented, the impact on the European market would be considerable, as it is already struggling with the supply crisis linked to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.

There is no diesel shortage at the moment, said another spokesperson, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen. The Oil Coordination Group, an EU advisory body, will meet on Tuesday 29 September and will take stock of the situation in the Member States, she added.