High fuel costs are driving a confrontation between Washington and its European partners over the use of strategic oil stockpiles. The Trump administration has pressured France and Germany to release 120 million barrels of emergency diesel reserves over the next six months or risk a potential US export ban, according to three sources familiar with the talks. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that while the US and Japan met their commitments, several EU nations have released only a fraction of the crude oil and petroleum products they pledged.

The push for more supply comes as US diesel prices average $6.44 a gallon, creating political urgency before the November midterm elections. President Donald Trump said he considers a diesel export ban daily, though he acknowledged such a move could hurt gasoline prices. Europe holds more than 350 million barrels across government and commercial stocks, but Germany has signaled it will not tap reserves solely to reduce pricing.