EU Urges 27 States to Cut Energy Use as Trump Weighs 1.4 Million-Barrel Diesel Export Ban
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 29
EU Urges 27 States to Cut Energy Use as Trump Weighs 1.4 Million-Barrel Diesel Export Ban
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 29
Summary
Dan Jorgensen told all 27 EU member states to curb gas and electricity use through winter, warning a U.S. diesel export ban could turn Europe’s price shock into a supply crunch.
Gas storage is "exceptionally low" after a hot, dry summer, and Europe gets about half of its diesel imports from the United States, which ships 1.4 million barrels of distillate fuel a day abroad.
Brussels is pressing Washington at the highest level while the EU Oil Coordination Group assesses the fallout; Jorgensen said there are no immediate supply risks but urged steps such as peak-hour power cuts and lower public-building temperatures.
Trump says he is very seriously considering curbs as record diesel prices and high gasoline costs hurt Republicans before November’s midterms, though U.S. oil companies and analysts warn a ban would disrupt supply chains without lowering prices.
The threat lands as wars involving Iran, Ukraine and Russia keep energy infrastructure under strain and the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, leaving Europe better prepared than in 2022 but still exposed to imported-fuel shocks.