Why Trump’s proposed diesel export ban could raise gas prices

President Donald Trump is pushing for a ban on diesel exports as prices reached record highs, but some observers worry that that could actually cause prices to spike even more.

Trump and several U.S. candidates who are in competitive races have called for export bans as the national average price for diesel fuel rose to a record $6.52 per gallon on Wednesday, Sept. 23, according to AAA. That figure is up 21 cents from a national diesel average of $6.31 per gallon one week ago on Sept. 16. A year ago, on Sept. 23, 2025, the national average price of a gallon of diesel was $3.69, according to AAA.

"Well, I've called for that, too," Trump said while attending the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. "I've said, 'Let's not send out the diesel.' We make a lot of diesel." The president, however, cautioned that a ban could have "a little bit of effect" on the price of regular gasoline.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, also said recently he is "open to exploring" a diesel export ban "if that would take pressure off of prices," according to a report from Bloomberg News.

"I think…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/