Trump again blames Ukrainian strikes as near-record diesel prices squeeze American truck drivers and pickup owners

Trump blames Ukraine as diesel prices hit a record high

President Donald Trump has again blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for worsening diesel prices in the United States. His comments came as U.S. retail diesel reached a record $6.53 per gallon, according to AAA data cited by Reuters.

The price surge matters especially for truck drivers and pickup owners, who can spend hundreds of dollars on a single fill-up. Global fuel disruptions are making diesel more expensive for American motorists.

American truck owners are feeling the diesel price shock

Near-record diesel prices are putting immediate pressure on drivers who depend on diesel-powered heavy-duty pickups and commercial trucks. AAA’s national diesel average was $6.37 per gallon on Oct. 2 after reaching a record $6.53 on Sept. 22. At $6.37 per gallon, a 30-gallon fill costs about $191, while a 40-gallon fill costs about $255.

Many heavy-duty pickups have large fuel tanks, and commercial trucks refuel frequently. Higher diesel prices can also raise freight and delivery costs, adding pressure to businesses and consumers.

Trump says Russian refinery attacks are driving diesel costs

Trump has repeatedly argued that Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are a major cause of the diesel shortage. He said Russian diesel refineries are being knocked out at an alarming rate and linked the resulting supply pressure to higher prices.

Russia is a major player in global refined-fuel markets, so disruptions to its refining system can affect supplies far beyond its borders. However, diesel prices are being shaped by several global supply problems at once.

Global diesel supplies are tight across several major markets

The diesel squeeze is broader than the Russia-Ukraine conflict alone. The Energy Information Administration says global distillate supplies are tight because refining activity has fallen in Russia, China, and the Middle East.

Those losses have pushed international diesel prices higher and increased demand for U.S. exports. That creates a difficult situation for American drivers because the United States is supplying more fuel to global markets while domestic inventories remain unusually low.

U.S. diesel inventories are running far below normal levels

U.S. diesel inventories are a major part of the current price problem. The Energy Information Administration reported that inventories were 13% below the five-year seasonal average as of Sept. 11.

The agency also expects inventories to remain below the five-year range through much of 2027. Low stockpiles leave the market with less protection against refinery outages, shipping problems, or sudden increases in demand from truckers, farmers, and other diesel users.

American refineries are producing diesel at high rates

U.S. refiners are already working hard to meet diesel demand. The Energy Information Administration said domestic distillate production averaged 5.1 million barrels per day from January through August, the highest level since 2019.

Refinery utilization also reached 97% for the week ending Sept. 11. That means higher pump prices are not simply the result of American refineries sitting idle. Global supply losses and strong export demand are also tightening the market.

Russia has extended its own diesel export restrictions

Russia has added another source of pressure by extending its diesel export ban for fuel producers through the end of October. Reuters reported that the restriction comes as the global energy market is already dealing with conflicts and supply shortages.

Limiting Russian exports removes additional diesel from international trade. For American truck drivers, that can matter even when the fuel is not imported directly from Russia because global diesel prices respond to changes in supply and demand.

Middle East disruptions are adding pressure to diesel prices

The Middle East is another major part of the diesel story. Refinery and shipping disruptions linked to the conflict involving Iran have reduced fuel supplies available to international markets.

Reuters reported that diesel prices in the United States and Europe have reached record levels as exports from several major producers were disrupted. For pickup owners, the result is a global fuel market where events thousands of miles away can quickly change the price at a local diesel pump.

Trump is considering a ban on U.S. diesel exports

The Trump administration is considering restricting U.S. diesel exports as it looks for ways to lower domestic fuel prices. Trump said on Sept. 30 that he is still considering an export ban.

Other options include voluntary limits by refiners and broader use of tax-exempt red-dyed diesel. The goal is to keep more fuel available inside the United States. However, any restriction could also affect overseas buyers who rely on American diesel supplies.

A diesel export ban could reshape the global fuel market

A U.S. diesel export ban would affect more than just American drivers. The United States has become an important supplier to overseas markets as refining problems have reduced production elsewhere.

Reuters reported that analysts expect an export ban could disrupt global fuel markets and might not provide a large reduction in U.S. prices. For pickup owners, the policy question is therefore tied to both domestic supply and the wider international market that helps determine fuel costs.

Red-dyed diesel is another option being considered

The White House is also considering wider use of red-dyed diesel to reduce fuel costs. Red-dyed diesel is chemically similar to regular diesel but is normally reserved for off-road uses such as farming and construction because it is exempt from highway fuel taxes.

Expanding its use could reduce certain tax costs for eligible users, but it would not increase diesel production or refinery output. That limits how much it could change the underlying supply shortage.

Europe is weighing emergency diesel reserve releases

The United States has pressed Europe, especially France and Germany, to release emergency diesel stocks as global supplies tighten. On Oct. 2, EU countries were considering a French proposal to release 50 million barrels of diesel from emergency reserves, alongside a possible release of 50 million barrels of crude by International Energy Agency members.

France and Germany held a combined 35% of EU emergency diesel reserves based on Eurostat data from May 2025. A release could add near-term supply, but prices would still depend on refinery production, shipping conditions, and global demand.

Oklahoma drivers face $100 fines for using phones in school and construction zones, highlighting another transportation policy affecting motorists around school areas and other high-risk road zones.

Higher diesel costs can raise the cost of owning trucks

Diesel prices can affect more than the amount paid at the pump. Trucking companies and other businesses may pass some of the higher fuel costs into freight, delivery, or service prices. At the same time, owners of diesel pickups that tow or travel long distances can see fuel bills rise quickly.

Fuel cost is also one factor buyers can compare when evaluating diesel, gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Higher diesel prices can therefore change operating-cost comparisons, although purchase price, maintenance, range, and intended use also matter.

U.S. vehicle and fuel costs remain a focus as Trump blames Biden for high prices, highlighting broader affordability pressures surrounding transportation spending and fuel costs.

Would lower diesel taxes make a meaningful difference for truckers facing record fuel costs?

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.