UK diesel supplies are resilient despite Donald Trump export ban threat, minister says

The UK is not facing a diesel shortage despite Donald Trump's threats to halt American fuel exports, a transport minister has insisted.

Keir Mather sought to calm fears on Friday, telling drivers they can continue to fill up as normal because the country's supply chain is inherently resilient.

His comments follow a tense week in which the UK opened emergency talks with European allies over potentially releasing strategic fuel reserves. The discussions were triggered after the Trump administration warned Germany and France to release their own stockpiles to cool global prices or face a complete cut-off of US diesel exports.

How secure are UK diesel supplies?

The UK relies on the US for about 30 per cent of its diesel, with the remainder mostly imported from mainland Europe. Currently, Britain holds 42 days of emergency diesel reserves.

"I want to reassure people that they can still go to the pump and fill up with diesel," Mather said during an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. He added that the government is working closely with European partners and American officials to keep fuel flowing.

The supply threat comes at an awkward time for the UK's domestic refining industry. Fawley refinery in Hampshire, the country's largest, is preparing to shut down for up to 10 weeks of planned maintenance. The temporary closure highlights a wider vulnerability: the UK has just four active refineries today, down from 18 in the 1980s.

What is happening to UK diesel prices?

Drivers are already feeling the squeeze. On Wednesday, the average price of a litre of diesel in the UK hit an all-time high of 199.72p, according to figures from the RAC.

In response to the price spike, motoring groups have pressured the government to keep fuel taxes down. A temporary 5p cut in fuel duty is set to expire at the end of the year, and the RAC has urged ministers to extend it into next spring.

Mather noted that the fuel duty freeze remains in place for now, saying the government is "not powerless" to help motorists, though he said the chancellor would decide its long-term future in the upcoming budget.

Meanwhile, broader international efforts to stabilise fuel markets are underway. Dan Jørgensen, the European Union's energy commissioner, confirmed that Europe is discussing a coordinated release of emergency reserves with members of the International Energy Agency. Jørgensen told Euronews that releasing stockpiles is a tool they have used before and are likely to use again.