UK Diesel Prices Surge as Trump Considers Export Ban

Fuel prices in the United Kingdom and Cyprus have surged to historic highs, driven by refinery outages and geopolitical instability. In the UK, diesel averages have reached approximately 199.9p per litre, nearing the June 2022 record. The crisis is fueled by Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and conflicts involving Iran, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. In response to these threats, the United Kingdom deployed an RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft to Saudi Arabia to protect vital oil transport routes.

Pressure on UK motorists has intensified following reports that US President Donald Trump is considering a temporary 90-day ban on diesel exports to lower domestic US prices. Because the UK relies heavily on American diesel, experts warn prices could spike to £3 per litre. While the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero maintains the UK supply is resilient, Reform UK shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham for failing to address the issue during a recent trip to New York.

Domestic advocacy groups, including FairFuelUK and the RAC, are lobbying the UK government to freeze or cut fuel duty to alleviate financial pressure. Simultaneously, in Cyprus, diesel prices hit a record average of €1.997 per litre, prompting the Consumers Association of Cyprus to urge the government to reduce fuel VAT from 19% to 5%. Analysts expect the global diesel shortage to persist into 2027.