Britain 'faces diesel crisis this winter' if Burnham and Europe bow to Trump demands to release emergency stocks before US mid-terms in November

Published: 02:50 EDT, 2 October 2026 | Updated: 03:08 EDT, 2 October 2026 Britain could face a diesel crisis this winter if Donald Trump forces Europe to release emergency stocks before US mid-term elections next month.The president is heaping pressure on Western countries to act to bring down energy prices, which are spiking as the Iran war continues to rage.Mr Trump has threatened to ban US diesel exports unless his traditional allies comply, potentially wreaking more havoc. But there is alarm that releasing reserves now could leave the continent at the mercy of supply shocks in the coming months, with the potential for the Houthis to disrupt Saudi output through the Red Sea. Many garages in the UK are already charging £2 a litre for diesel, and experts warn they could hit £3 if the US follows through on threats - which economists say could help American prices in the short-term but would likely backfire in the longer term. Mr Trump is heaping pressure on Western countries to act to bring down energy prices, which are spiking as the Iran war continues to rageUK officials spoke with their counterparts in Germany, France, Italy and Ireland yesterday as well as at the European Commission to consider using stockpiles of the fuel.Britain holds only 40 days worth of diesel reserves, whereas some other nations have more than 200 days. The US is believed to have asked the European Union to release 120 million barrels of diesel in the next six months.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters yesterday that the US administration expected announcements soon from Europe about new diesel supplies.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said European states should release diesel reserves 'immediately'.'Our European partners should accelerate delivery on their existing commitments and make additional supplies immediately available to address ongoing disruptions,' he said.Mr Trump has said he is 'very seriously' considering restrictions on diesel exports. - The US is the biggest exporter in the world.Andy Burnham has indicated he is lobbying Mr Trump against such an embargo.Around a quarter of the UK's supplies typically come from America. Diesel has been particularly hard-hit by the chaos in the Middle East. Even before that Europe had become increasingly dependent on US fuel after banning Russian imports over Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A Whitehall source said that Washington was deploying 'brazen negotiating tactics'. They told the Times that bowing to US demands could lead to a 'really, really bad' supply shortage this winter. Many garages in the UK are already charging £2 a litre for diesel, and experts warn they could hit £3 if the US follows through on threats (file picture)There are concerns that the Red Sea could be effectively closed by Houthi action, sparking another wave of energy shocks.'These reserve stocks are there to act as a buffer against supply shortages,' the source said. 'They are not there to bring fuel prices down.'Motoring organisations have urged the Government to extend the current 5p cut in fuel duty beyond the end of this year, when it is currently scheduled to be reversed.A decision on what happens to fuel duty is due to be announced by Chancellor John Healey in his Budget speech on October 28.Mr Burnham admitted earlier this week that the UK is on track for an 'energy crisis' this winter, as costs surge on international markets. A 4 per cent hike to Ofgem's energy price cap took effect yesterday, and there are warnings that household bills are set to soar by another £300 from January.Mr Healey has insisted he will try to help families at the Budget on October 28, but the Government is facing a desperate struggle to balance the books as debt interest costs rise. Campaigners urged the Government to make plans now to support all households with energy costs this winter because of the severity of forecast bill hikes.A UK Government spokesman told the Daily Mail yesterday: 'We have a diverse and resilient supply. We continue to engage with our international partners and the UK fuel industry.'