An energy adviser for President Donald Trump slammed a White House plan to halt diesel exports for 90 days as midterm pressure mounts.
According to a Wednesday article by Politico, the Trump administration is moving toward a temporary ban despite divisions within its own ranks and opposition from fuel producers. Five anonymous insiders told Politico about the discussions and internal division.
The plan would mark the first limit on U.S. energy exports since the Obama administration ended a decades-long prohibition on oil exports in 2015.
"It's a terrible idea," an anonymous Trump energy adviser told Politico, adding, "There's a lot of swirl so it might change."
According to the adviser, Energy Secretary Chris Wright phoned energy CEOs on Tuesday night to warn them that a ban would likely come within days. Several executives then called the White House to object, per Politico.
Diesel prices have climbed to record levels following the U.S. war on Iran, which began in February, and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, Politico noted. AAA put the national average at $6.52 a gallon on Wednesday, 91 cents higher than a month earlier and $2.83 above last year, per Politico.
With fewer than seven weeks until the midterms, Trump is leaning toward announcing a ban by week's end and treating any fallout as "a December problem," according to an oil industry executive who has spoken with senior White House officials.
"That camp has been swept aside by the political camp, which says, 'dammit, something has to happen,'" the executive said.
Wright, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have reportedly objected to a full ban.
"Bessent is a good soldier," one person with knowledge of the talks said. "He will voice opinions and then march forward."
Wright also voiced his opposition publicly at a Climate Week panel in New York on Wednesday.
"The blunt tool of banning diesel exports definitely doesn't work because the U.S. exports a lot of diesel," Wright said. "We're the largest diesel exporter in the world, but that same refinery that produces diesel also produces gasoline and jet fuel."
A White House official dismissed the reporting, according to Politico, saying, "This is another fake news story from Politico."