On September 23, 2026, a coalition of 28 organizations wrote to President Donald J. Trump asking him to reject a proposed ban on exports of diesel and other refined petroleum products. The letter credits the administration with reducing government’s role in the energy sector and asks the President to stay that course rather than impose export controls. It also calls on Congress to pass comprehensive permitting reform.
The coalition argues that diesel is priced in a global market and that a ban would disrupt supply chains and interfere with price signals without bringing lasting relief at the pump. Any price drop would likely be brief and uneven, some regions could see prices rise, and refiners shut out of export markets would have less reason to maximize output or add capacity. The letter also points to permitting delays as part of the reason no large-scale refinery has been built in the United States in 50 years. The Southwest Public Policy Institute joined the coalition, which was led by the National Taxpayers Union.