US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright told oil industry executives that in view of increasingly intense discussions within the Trump administration over restrictions on diesel exports, preparations should be made for the possibility of such a measure. People familiar with the matter said that Wright conveyed this message to business executives by phone on Tuesday evening, just after Trump said he had urged government officials to consider imposing restrictions on diesel exports for several hours. Discussions continued on Wednesday over restrictions on diesel exports, but no final decision has yet been made. Trump's core advisors disagree on this, while oil company executives warned the White House that any ban would eventually cause global prices to rise. People familiar with the matter revealed internal government discussions and Wright's calls with industry executives. Since the relevant discussions were not public, they requested anonymity. Meanwhile, Wright highlighted a possible voluntary solution on Wednesday, saying that even without a ban on diesel exports, the government still wants to help the industry independently increase diesel supply. “We are working with the industry in some form to more effectively increase the supply of diesel in the US and contain upward pressure on prices,” he said at an event hosted by “The Economist.” “But this can be achieved in a simpler, voluntary and cooperative way, without using draconian measures that would reduce refining capacity.” Later, his statement was more clear, saying that a complete ban on diesel exports was not taken into consideration. “No one wants a complete ban or complete cessation of diesel exports,” he said at another New York Times event. “That wasn't the focus of the discussion. What is currently being discussed is how to deliver more diesel to the US in the most effective way and ensure maximum supply of fuel such as gasoline and aviation fuel.”

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright told oil industry executives that in view of increasingly intense discussions within the Trump administration over restrictions on diesel exports, preparations should be made for the possibility of such a measure. People familiar with the matter said that Wright conveyed this message to business executives by phone on Tuesday evening, just after Trump said he had urged government officials to consider imposing restrictions on diesel exports for several hours. Discussions continued on Wednesday over restrictions on diesel exports, but no final decision has yet been made. Trump's core advisors disagree on this, while oil company executives warned the White House that any ban would eventually cause global prices to rise. People familiar with the matter revealed internal government discussions and Wright's calls with industry executives. Since the relevant discussions were not public, they requested anonymity. Meanwhile, Wright highlighted a possible voluntary solution on Wednesday, saying that even without a ban on diesel exports, the government still wants to help the industry independently increase diesel supply. “We are working with the industry in some form to more effectively increase the supply of diesel in the US and contain upward pressure on prices,” he said at an event hosted by “The Economist.” “But this can be achieved in a simpler, voluntary and cooperative way, without using draconian measures that would reduce refining capacity.” Later, his statement was more clear, saying that a complete ban on diesel exports was not taken into consideration. “No one wants a complete ban or complete cessation of diesel exports,” he said at another New York Times event. “That wasn't the focus of the discussion. What is currently being discussed is how to deliver more diesel to the US in the most effective way and ensure maximum supply of fuel such as gasoline and aviation fuel.”