US President Donald Trump supports a ban on diesel exports as fuel prices reach record highs to curb the rising costs of energy, Reuters reported.

Trump said the US should keep more of its diesel domestically, adding that the country produces large volumes of the fuel. “I’ve said let’s not send out the diesel. We make a lot of diesel,” Trump told reporters ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

This comes as high fuel prices create pressure for Trump ahead of the November 3 elections. The global diesel market has already faced tighter supplies as conflicts in Iran and Ukraine have disrupted exports from major producers, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The national average retail price for diesel in the US amounted to $6.53 per gallon on September 21, an increase from last month, which reached $5.652 per gallon, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). In 2025, diesel prices were $2.780 per gallon

US gasoline prices are also rising, trading at a national average of $4.478 per gallon on September 21, up from $4.1044 a month ago, and $1.305 per gallon at this time last year.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration was examining whether an export ban would be feasible and whether a full or partial restriction would be more effective.

US Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska said the US should keep its fuel at home to rebuild diesel reserves ahead of winter and reduce costs for American consumers.

Meanwhile, some US energy officials have warned that a diesel export ban could create a surplus on the US Gulf Coast, prompting refiners to reduce production. This would eventually reduce gasoline supplies as well.

In addition, the export ban could affect domestic jobs and fuel supplies while forcing US allies to seek more fuel from other producers, according to Reuters.

A diesel export ban could temporarily reduce prices on the US Gulf Coast, but it could also tighten supplies in Europe, which relies heavily on US diesel imports.