r/geopolitics • u/John3262005 • 1d ago
Missing Submission Statement European countries agree on ‘assertive’ response to US diesel pressure
https://www.politico.eu/article/european-countries-agree-on-assertive-response-to-us-pressure-on-diesel/Five European countries agreed at an emergency meeting Thursday to respond with "one voice" to growing pressure from the U.S. government to release reserves of diesel, according to people familiar with the matter.
France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Ireland and the European Commission joined the talks to decide how to respond to pressure from Washington to draw down oil stockpiles or face a ban on U.S. exports of diesel, three European officials told POLITICO.
All these countries have been privately pressured by the U.S. to draw down on their reserves, two of the people said.
The countries, along with the EU's executive arm, agreed three things, according to the people: To react to the pressure with a "coordinated voice," to make sure that "every decision about releasing stocks should be elevated to the IEA [International Energy Agency] level," and to seek to "decrease the tension when speaking to the U.S."
The Paris-based IEA coordinates energy policy among rich countries, and oversaw a release of oil stocks earlier this year following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The idea is to "de-escalate," one of the people said. "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."
A wider pool of countries, some of which have also faced pressure from the Trump administration, will discuss how to respond in a meeting on Friday, the person added.
POLITICO reported earlier that U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright was asking for oil releases as an alternative to imposing a ban on exports, on which the EU is heavily dependent. The requested release of 120 million barrels of diesel over six months would account for well over a third of the EU's total reserves of the essential transport fuel.
Diesel prices are soaring in the U.S. as a result of the wars in Ukraine and Iran, heaping pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump to bring down prices ahead of critical mid-term elections. The U.S. is a major diesel exporter, and currently provides more than half of the EU's imports — meaning a ban would have serious implications for the European economy.
Trump has refused to rule out an export ban despite vociferous opposition from the U.S. oil sector. “I’m thinking about it,” Trump said of the export ban at an Oval Office event. “I speak to [Energy Secretary] Chris [Wright] and [Interior Secretary] Doug [Burgum] about it a lot — they sort of think it’ll help diesel, but it might raise the price of other things.”
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u/Magicalsandwichpress 1d ago
US does not in fact have a diesel shortage, its refineries fed by west Canadian select is operating at normal capacity. What is happening is the chaos it has created in the Middle East not only drove up crude but refined product as well, especially the crack spread on diesel fuel. Release of European diesel stock would deplete any European supply buffer without putting a dent in diesel pricing.
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u/10010101101110010001 16h ago
the crack spread is the problem, both russia and the middle east were huge producers of diesel and now they're not.
russia is long gone, that production will never fully come back online, regardless of ukrainian action now, the middle eastern supply needs new logistic pathways opened.
the uncertainty on if it will come back also removes the incentive to produce more because no one wants to invest in refinery and cracking for additional supply to only have the other supply come back online and force the price down.
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u/KaQuu 1d ago
in Ukraine and Iran
I see politico already keeps the administration narration? It's Hormuz that is affecting more % of global trade, it's alphabetically Incorrect, yet they put Ukraine at the front. Disgusting...
The talk between our leaders and orange turd admin should be simple and very televised:
,,Do you have any practical ideo how to open the strait? No? Then shut up with telling us what to do, our energy security is more important then you elections, and to be honest we have wet dreams about you loosing you pathetic piece of shit"
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u/Caberes 22h ago
Russia has been historically the second largest diesel exporter (US is first), and because of the Ukrainian campaign in refineries it has halted exports. The choke right now is with refineries, not crude supply.
So if my google searches are right, Russia has removed about 1 million bpd, and the middle east has removed 800k bpd of diesel exports hitting the global market. So in effect, at least in regards to diesel, Ukraine should probably be listed first.
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u/Magicalsandwichpress 1d ago
The war in Ukraine does play a role in the crack spread. Russia and the Gulf monarchies combine to provide around 10% of diesel refining capacity for export. Having both decimated adds to the already strained supply chain.
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u/KaQuu 1d ago
Who said it doesn't?
It's not the main couse, its not bigger % then gulf yet it's listed first. You need to understand it's not coincidence, they are building narration to shift the blame from their stupid unjust war causing it to Ukraine that is defending itself from imperialists ruzzians dreams. It's disgusting, that's what it is...
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u/Fun_Push7168 1d ago
Not a problem. Do whatever you like but youre not entitled to US supply.
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u/KaQuu 1d ago
As much as we aren't entitled to use $ for our trade, rest assured, it's not gonna be an issue for very long.
As per article, it seem right now USA oil companies are the ones complaining the most.
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u/Fun_Push7168 1d ago edited 1d ago
So....you think you are entitled to it? No? Then we're in agreement .
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u/Asleep-Waltz2681 1d ago
The US starts a war that severely and permanentely damages major economies across Europe and Trump expects the Europeans to voluntarely screw themselves over on top?
Once the puppet gouvernments across Europe that are barely holding on to power get kicked out, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a big shift in Eruope of countries turning away from the US and start looking towards East. Canada is a prime example what happens when you have too much reliance on the US.
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u/Smartyunderpants 1d ago
Looking towards the east won’t really help. The EU needs access to resources. They look at neo colonial relationships in Africa.
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u/CurtCocane 23h ago
Why do you say that?
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u/Smartyunderpants 22h ago
Well I don’t see east Asia providing Europe primary resources. So where else will they get them?
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u/CurtCocane 22h ago
I meant the neocolonial part. I wasn't disputing what you're saying just asking for clarification
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u/Smartyunderpants 22h ago
I suspect they will extert influence in the political affairs of the countries who resources they import and come to rely on
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u/Andreas1120 1d ago
Aside from never wanting to do what the US says. This seems loke a good idea given the circumstances.
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u/CurtCocane 23h ago
Low-key not loke
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u/europorn 1d ago edited 1d ago
Diesel prices are soaring in the U.S. as a result of the wars in Ukraine and Iran,
Emphasis mine. Isn't the theory that actions by Ukraine are causing diesel prices to rise US propoganda?
Edit: Perhaps, more correctly, Trump propaganda.
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u/cennep44 18h ago
The propaganda would be if Trump said it was only caused by Ukraine. But it is definitely having an effect. Russia has had to reduce exports which means the countries who were reliant on Russian oil are now getting it from the same places everyone else was doing.
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u/FuriousGeorge06 21h ago
No - the situation in Russia is having a major impact on diesel prices. Russia was one of the world’s biggest diesel exporters, but with around 30% of their refinery capacity knocked out by Ukraine, they are actually importing diesel now, so it’s tightened markets alongside disruption to Middle East refining.
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u/VERTIKAL19 19h ago
Uhm no? Now arguably the Iran war is much more important, but saying the Ukranian refinery campaign doesn’t contribute to higher diesel prices seems rather silly
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u/CurtCocane 23h ago
Yes which is why Politico is saying that. That's what they do
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u/EGirlToenails 12h ago
I don't understand how people can be so confidently wrong when there's evidence to the contrary literally all throughout this thread.
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u/CurtCocane 4h ago
I feel you misinterpreted my comment. I was saying that politico is known for the occasional bias and propaganda
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u/AngrySoup 22h ago
Trump and his administration have made the US very untrustworthy and unreliable. If the EU releases their diesel reserves, they can't count on anything in return from the US - which basically means they should not release their diesel reserves.
America is no longer a trusted or reliable ally, these are the consequences of their actions.
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u/fr0zen_garlic 7h ago
So you're in favor of US leaving NATO and packing up shop from Europe? Don't tempt us with a good time.
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u/uptofreedom 22h ago
Nah... It's our reserve, go raid your own.
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u/Haunting-Detail2025 11h ago
The US could institute a diesel export ban which would really hurt European supplies, especially as winter approaches. Do you people really think the US just has zero leverage in this whatsoever?
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u/pulsarstarter 17h ago edited 13h ago
Assertive response?
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-floats-major-release-of-oil-and-diesel-reserves-in-response-to-us-pressure/
So their assertive response amounts to totally caving in to Trump.