WASHINGTON, September 22, 2026 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) today released the following statement from President and CEO Mike Sommers on news that the administration is considering restrictions on U.S. diesel exports.
“Americans are hurting from rising diesel costs driven by an unprecedented disruption to global refining capacity. We understand the administration is looking at every option to deliver relief, but restricting U.S. energy exports would only compound the problem—exacerbating refining challenges and ultimately hurting consumers. The answer is more supply and more flexibility—not new restrictions that risk making a difficult situation worse.”
BACKGROUND
Restricting U.S. diesel exports would wreak havoc on fuel markets at home and abroad, destabilize refinery operations and deepen a global refining crisis already putting upward pressure on U.S. prices. Gulf Coast refineries produce more diesel than the region consumes, while geography and infrastructure constraints prevent that surplus from simply being redirected to every U.S. market that needs it. Exports provide an essential outlet that allows those refineries to keep running at high rates. Limiting access to global markets could force refiners to cut runs—reducing production of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel and tightening supplies further at home and abroad.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
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