The US administration has notified Germany and France about the need to release emergency diesel fuel reserves to stabilize global fuel prices, warning of a potential American ban on diesel fuel exports, according to three sources close to the discussions.
This warning signals an escalation of pressure on Europe, as US President Donald Trump is considering imposing such a ban to lower fuel prices in the US ahead of the November midterm elections.
On Thursday, the European Commission, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, and the United Kingdom held a conference call to discuss the potential need to release diesel reserves, one EU official told Reuters.
Another source based in the European capital stated that the US requested the EU to release 120 million barrels of diesel fuel over the next six months.
Releasing this volume would mean using more than 40% of the current 39 million metric tons of emergency gas oil and diesel fuel reserves held by EU member states, according to the latest Eurostat data for May 2025.
According to data from May 2025, Germany had 5.6 million tons, and France had 8.2 million tons, meaning these two countries together accounted for about 35% of the EU's strategic reserves.
Diesel fuel prices have sharply risen to record or near-record levels in several markets, including Europe, turning fuel into an economic and political problem as it is the basis for freight transport, agriculture, and industry.
The US administration is particularly displeased with France and Germany because, according to American officials, they have not fully met previous obligations to release emergency oil and petroleum product reserves, Reuters previously reported.
One source, a US official, told Reuters: 'It is in Europe's interest to cooperate with the United States while we seek various ways to increase the supply of refined products and reduce costs for consumers.'
Europe has become increasingly dependent on US fuel following the import ban from Russia after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and after the war between the US and Israel with Iran disrupted supplies from the Middle East.