Britain has joined crisis talks with European allies after Donald Trump threatened to restrict US diesel exports unless Europe releases emergency fuel reserves.
UK officials held discussions with counterparts in Germany, France, Italy and Ireland as Washington pushed for tens of millions of barrels of diesel to be released to ease soaring global fuel prices.
The issue is particularly significant for Britain, which, after choking off production and losing refining capability, imports 55% of its diesel - with around a third of those imports coming from the US.
Diesel prices have already climbed above £2 a litre at some UK forecourts amid disruption to global supplies caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged European countries to make additional fuel supplies “immediately available”.
He said: “American farmers, truckers and businesses should not be left carrying the burden of a global diesel shortage.”
The UK is understood to have agreed with European leaders to present a “united response”, with governments concerned that releasing emergency reserves could leave them exposed over the winter.
Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie said: “Labour have spent two years taxing the North Sea into decline and refusing new licences, so Britain now finds itself at the mercy of decisions taken abroad.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “We have a diverse and resilient supply. We continue to engage with our international partners and the UK fuel industry.”