European countries agreed Thursday to respond with “one voice” after emergency talks involving Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Ireland. No release decision was taken. The EU’s energy taskforce meets Friday morning to discuss potential stock releases. Britain’s energy secretary is also in emergency talks with Washington; the country imports more than half its diesel, with roughly a third of those imports coming from the US.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Europe to accelerate existing commitments and “make additional supplies immediately available.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News he was “highly confident” Europe would release stocks. US officials say several European countries have fallen short of earlier reserve release pledges. The pressure follows White House talks on export restrictions as US retail diesel reached a record $6.53 a gallon ahead of November’s midterm elections.