President Donald Trump urged European countries on Thursday to release portions of their diesel reserves to help address global shortages and high prices in the United States.

The comments came as the Trump administration weighed a potential ban on U.S. diesel exports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on European partners to accelerate deliveries and make additional supplies available immediately.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright proposed that EU governments release 120 million barrels of diesel from national strategic reserves over 180 days. That volume would represent more than one-third of the approximately 315 million barrels held by EU countries as of June, according to Eurostat data.

The push targeted Germany and France in particular, which together hold a significant share of Europe's reserves. U.S. officials have expressed frustration that those nations have not fully acted on earlier commitments to release stocks amid disruptions from the war in Iran.

Trump told reporters he was thinking seriously about an export ban but indicated he may instead ask Europe to act. The U.S. exports between 1.2 million and 1.5 million barrels of diesel per day, making it a key global supplier.

European officials held calls on Thursday, including Britain with EU partners, to discuss a coordinated response. EU member states plan further talks with the European Commission on Friday.

High diesel prices have hit American farmers, truckers, and businesses hard ahead of November's midterm elections. The administration has framed the effort as protecting U.S. consumers from carrying the full burden of global supply disruptions.