US Urges France and Germany to Tap Diesel Reserves, Warns of Export Ban

The United States has called on France and Germany to draw on their emergency diesel reserves as part of an effort to bring down fuel prices.

Washington also raised the prospect of banning its own diesel exports, adding pressure on the two European countries to release supplies from storage.

The request extends to the European Union, which the United States has asked to put 120 million barrels on the market over six months.

The proposed releases would make stored fuel available to the market. The summary provided no indication that France, Germany or the EU had agreed to the request, or that a US export ban had been imposed.