The White House has called on the European Union to reduce emergency diesel inventories as part of efforts to lower global fuel prices, according to sources familiar with the matter. This push comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to address rising fuel costs ahead of the November midterm elections.

U.S. officials have expressed frustration that several European countries have not met earlier commitments to release emergency oil and petroleum reserves. These releases were intended to mitigate supply disruptions and price surges triggered by tensions related to Iran and interruptions to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. France and Germany, in particular, have been singled out by Washington for falling short of their pledges, prompting American concerns to be raised with the International Energy Agency (IEA), which coordinates stockpile releases among member states.

In March, the U.S. agreed to share 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as part of a coordinated global effort involving about 30 IEA countries to release a total of 400 million barrels from their reserves. European Union members had committed to contributing about 20 percent of this total. However, as of late September, only a fraction of the promised oil and petroleum products have reportedly been released by several European states.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright publicly reiterated these concerns, noting that the United States and Japan have fulfilled their obligations, while several European nations have yet to deliver on their commitments. Wright’s comments came alongside a new announcement of oil releases from U.S. reserves.

The rise in diesel prices has become a significant concern for the Trump administration, particularly in rural and farm states where diesel is essential for agriculture, trucking, and manufacturing. The surge in fuel costs adds to broader economic pressures on voters ahead of the midterms, prompting the administration to explore a range of options. These include encouraging additional foreign stockpile releases, restricting diesel exports from the United States, and collaborating with domestic refiners to boost supplies.

The administration’s efforts reflect a broader strategy to stabilize fuel markets and alleviate public pressure as midterm elections approach. The outcome of these measures and the level of cooperation from European partners remain key factors in determining the near-term trajectory of global diesel prices.