Donald Trump has said he would back a ban on US diesel exports as record fuel prices and disruption to global energy supplies pile pressure on governments around the world.
Speaking in New York, where he also met Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Trump said: “I've called for that too. I've said let's not send out the diesel. We make a lot of diesel. That could have a little bit of an effect on regular automobile gasoline.”
The US exports around 1.3million barrels of diesel a day, nearly a quarter of its refining output, meaning restrictions could tighten supplies and push up prices internationally.
Global markets are already under pressure from conflict in the Middle East, while Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and Moscow's own export restrictions have further squeezed diesel supplies.
Britain is particularly exposed, importing around 55% of its road diesel, with the US supplying approximately 31% of imports. UK diesel prices are already above 196p per litre.
Fuel Industry UK chief executive Elizabeth de Jong said: “Global events such as the conflict in the Middle East demonstrate the vital role that UK refineries play and why they are crucial to our economy.”