Diesel hits £2 a litre for the FIRST TIME as Britain is shut out of European crisis talks and Trump threatens export ban
From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026.
Trump has warned France and Germany to release their emergency diesel reserves or face a US export ban, with Washington's sharpest frustration directed at both countries over broken pledges on petroleum stocks.Britain holds just 40 days of diesel reserves — far below the 200-plus days stockpiled by some European nations — leaving it among the most exposed countries if Trump's threatened US export ban goes ahead.
Diesel has reached a record 200.01p a litre in the UK, according to RAC figures, with a full tank now costing £110 — nearly £32 more than before the US-Israel war on Iran began in February. Transport minister Keir Mather insisted supplies are "inherently resilient" and urged the public not to panic, even as Trump threatened to ban US diesel exports and Britain found itself cut out of emergency talks between European allies.
The UK imports nearly 55% of its diesel, with the US supplying roughly a third of that — and Britain's biggest refinery, Fawley in Hampshire, is set to shut for up to 10 weeks for maintenance.
Trump announced Friday that Europe will release a "massive amount" of diesel from emergency reserves, after his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanded allies act "immediately" or face a US export ban.
Supply chain expert Dr Jonathan Owens of the University of Salford warned the pain 'will not stop at the petrol station', with food, construction materials and online deliveries all facing higher transport costs.
