IOWA — Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa called on President Donald Trump to place an embargo on diesel exports. The request aims to protect American farmers and truckers from record-high fuel costs that have surged across the country. "High diesel prices ARE KILLING FARMERS INCOME," Chuck Grassley said.

The national average cost of diesel was $6.51 as of Sunday, according to AAA. The price of diesel spiked above $6.50 a gallon over the weekend for the first time on record.

In Iowa, the cost of diesel was $6.31 as of Sunday. Diesel prices in Iowa were nearly $3 more than the cost one year ago. Diesel prices have surged 83% so far this year.

"If our [government] can embargo chips to China it can embargo diesel to help American farmers & truckers," he wrote on Sunday. He suggested the embargo in multiple social media posts, calling for a 1970s-style embargo on diesel and agricultural products. "We need our family farmers who feed&fuel the world [to be] on the strongest footing possible no matter what’s happening across the globe," he wrote. Last week, he posted a message stating that high diesel prices are killing farmers' income.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called for a 90-day ban on US diesel exports. Energy Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the administration would consider an export ban if it might lower prices, but concluded that is not the case. "We would consider an export ban if we thought that actually might lower prices, but that’s not the case," Burgum told reporters. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated he is "not at all confident" "an export ban would lower prices and cautioned it could" "actually hurt Americans."

A White House official stated that the administration is not considering an export ban or export restrictions at this time. Jarrod Agen, executive director of the National Energy Dominance Council, dismissed the possibility of implementing a ban on diesel, gasoline, or crude oil. US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that President Trump had called her to discuss the issue of diesel for farmers.

Americans could "expect an announcement very soon on some potential actions," Rollins said. Rollins acknowledged that the situation is the "direct result, clearly, of the Iran war."

Senator John Barrasso stated that President Trump is considering a number of different things he can do regarding diesel prices, but did not immediately back Grassley's export embargo plan. Bob McNally, former energy official in the George W. Bush administration and president of Rapidan Energy Group, stated, "This is taking a sledgehammer to the problem." McNally described a potential export ban as "an authentic policy error, or what I call an ‘APE.’ In fact, this would be the king of the APEs." McNally stated, "If he bans exports, the coasts are screwed."

Why It Matters

The debate over diesel exports occurs against a backdrop of global supply disruptions. The Iran war has cut off diesel exports from the Middle East. Ukrainian drone strikes have knocked out a series of refineries in Russia.

Russia and China have imposed export restrictions. These factors have contributed to the sharp increase in domestic fuel prices, affecting farmers, truckers, and consumers nationwide.

What's New

Additional reporting shows further context and reactions to the proposal. He posted on X last week that high diesel prices are killing farmers' income. Garrett Golding, assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, stated that surging global prices for diesel "will boomerang back" onto the East Coast and, to a lesser extent, the West Coast.

Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, stated, "The price of gasoline could soar. Do not ban diesel exports. You will have a whole rash of unintended consequences." Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, warned that an export ban would "make the problem worse, not better – for consumers, farmers and the broader US economy."