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The European Commission has expressed concern over reported plans by the United States to restrict diesel exports, including shipments to the European Union, warning that any disruption to energy trade could affect both sides.
“The European Union views with concern the reported US plans to ban diesel exports, including to the European Union,” commission spokesman Olof Gill told reporters on Thursday, according to Politico.
Gill said EU-US energy cooperation was “strong, stable, and mutually beneficial” and that high-level contacts with the US administration were continuing.
“Any disruption would risk negatively impacting both sides,” he said, adding that the EU expected close partners to consult each other before taking measures affecting shared markets.
EU says proposal remains unconfirmed
Asked whether the reported proposal could affect wider EU-US energy arrangements, Gill stressed that no final decision had been taken.
“Nothing is decided yet,” he said, adding that the EU had conveyed to US officials at the highest level that it considered an export ban a bad idea.
Another commission spokeswoman, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, said the EU was monitoring fuel markets and supplies in coordination with member states. She added that there was, for the time being, “no concrete shortage of diesel in the European Union.”
The United States accounted for about 50% of the EU’s diesel imports in August, Itkonen said.
Oil Coordination Group to review situation
The EU’s Oil Coordination Group is scheduled to meet next Tuesday to assess the situation across member states.
Politico reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the plan, that the administration of US President Donald Trump was preparing a 90-day ban on diesel exports in an effort to lower fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
The White House rejected the report, while fuel producers warned that such a ban could eventually lead to higher prices.
