White House weighs softer diesel steps, may leave decision to states, Politico reports
Officials are considering passing the diesel issue to states rather than imposing the export ban floated earlier this week, Politico reports
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UpdateFriday, September 25, 2026 at 2:50 PM ET
The options under discussion stop short of a 90-day diesel export ban, which the White House denied this week it was planning, Politico reported. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the administration would not halt all diesel exports and would instead pursue a voluntary approach, calling an export ban a "blunt tool" that "doesn't work." President Trump had earlier said at the United Nations General Assembly, "I've said, 'Let's not send out the diesel.'" AAA figures put the average US diesel price at $6.52 a gallon on Wednesday, against $4.47 for gasoline. The European Union has been in talks with the administration on the export plan, with a Commission spokesperson warning a 90-day ban coul
The White House is preparing to announce a diesel plan soon and is considering handing the matter to individual states rather than imposing a federal export ban, Politico reports.
The options under discussion fall short of the 90-day export ban the administration had denied planning earlier this week, according to Politico.
Politico has reported that the administration has denied other trade restrictions in the past only to move ahead with them within days.
The shift toward letting states handle diesel policy, rather than a federal export ban, is a step back from the more aggressive measures floated earlier. That reduces the immediate upside risk for domestic fuel prices. But it leaves the underlying inflation and energy supply concerns largely unresolved, keeping the situation neutral for markets that had already priced in some form of intervention.