European Nations Coordinate Response to U.S. Diesel Release Request
France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Ireland and the EU Commission met to formulate a unified stance against U.S. pressure to draw down diesel reserves, aiming to keep decisions at the IEA level and reduce tensions.
European officials from France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Ireland and the European Commission convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to devise a coordinated reaction to U.S. demands for diesel stock releases. The group agreed to speak with a single voice, to elevate any decision on releasing reserves to the International Energy Agency (IEA), and to seek a de-escalation of tensions with Washington.
The United States, citing rising diesel prices domestically, has asked the EU to release up to 120 million barrels of diesel over six months, a volume that would represent more than a third of the bloc’s total diesel reserves. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has framed the request as an alternative to a potential export ban, which President Donald Trump has said he is still considering.
The IEA, which previously coordinated a release of oil stocks after the Strait of Hormuz closure, will now be the forum for any further decisions. A broader group of countries facing similar pressure is slated to meet on Friday to discuss the issue further.
"To be sort of assertive but positive in the communication ... When you're dealing with the hungry lion, you do not necessarily play dirty games with him," one source said, describing the intended tone of the EU’s response.