The UK government moved to reassure consumers about fuel supply stability following threats from the Trump administration to restrict diesel exports. Transport Minister Keir Mather stated that the country maintains access to diesel through multiple international sources and emphasized the inherent resilience of the supply system.
The UK currently obtains approximately 30% of its diesel from the United States, with the remainder sourced primarily from mainland Europe. The country maintains emergency reserves sufficient for 42 days of consumption. Mather indicated that officials were engaging with European partners and the US administration to underscore the importance of maintaining diesel flows into Britain.
Tensions over fuel supply intensified following reports that the Trump administration had pressured Germany and France to release their emergency stockpiles or face restrictions on US supplies. In response, the UK initiated discussions with European allies about potentially accessing emergency diesel reserves. These developments coincided with news that Fawley, the UK’s largest refinery located in Hampshire, would undergo planned maintenance lasting up to 10 weeks.
Diesel prices in the UK reached record levels, with the average price per litre surpassing £2 for the first time. The motoring organization RAC noted this represented an unwelcome threshold, with prices continuing to rise. The government maintained a 5p reduction in fuel duty through the end of the year, though the RAC had called for an extension into spring. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen indicated that Europe was considering activating emergency diesel reserves in coordination with International Energy Agency members.
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