# Trump weighs diesel export ban as prices hit record high

> The administration is examining whether restricting diesel exports could ease fuel costs that have surged to $6.53 per gallon.
- Title: Trump weighs diesel export ban as prices hit record high
- Summary: The administration is examining whether restricting diesel exports could ease fuel costs that have surged to $6.53 per gallon. The Trump administration is…
- Keywords: trump administration, diesel export ban, fuel prices, treasury secretary scott bessent, american petroleum institute, midterm elections, business, finance, Trump, weighs, diesel, export
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/22/trump-diesel-export-ban-urkaine-russia-iran.html
- Author: Spencer Kimball
- Published: 2026-09-22T18:16:19+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump administration, diesel export ban, fuel prices, treasury secretary scott bessent, american petroleum institute, midterm elections, business, finance
## Trump administration examines diesel ban
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday the Trump administration is considering a full or partial ban on diesel exports to address record high fuel prices.

> We're examining whether it's feasible in terms of the overall refining capacity and whether a full or partial ban would work.
## Trump backs the export ban idea
President Trump told reporters he has advocated for a diesel export ban during internal administration deliberations and said a decision would be made quickly.

> I've said let's not send out the diesel. We make a lot of diesel.
## Diesel prices hit record levels
Diesel in the U.S. has surged to a record high of six dollars fifty three cents per gallon, almost three dollars above last year's level. In California, diesel costs eight dollars forty four cents per gallon.
## Global conflicts shrink fuel supply
Fuel prices have jumped as wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East have slashed global refining capacity. Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries forced Moscow to implement its own diesel export ban.
## Oil industry warns against the ban
The American Petroleum Institute warned that restricting U.S. energy exports would compound refining challenges and hurt consumers. CEO Mike Sommers said the answer is more supply and flexibility, not new restrictions.

> Restricting U.S. energy exports would only compound the problem, exacerbating refining challenges and ultimately hurting consumers.
## Why diesel matters to the economy
Diesel fuels trucks and trains that deliver goods and farm equipment that harvests crops. Higher diesel prices trickle down to consumers in higher grocery bills and what they pay for consumer products.
## Key takeaway

The Trump administration is considering a full or partial diesel export ban to address record high prices affecting farmers and truckers ahead of midterm elections.