EU's emergency diesel stocks are mainly in Germany and France

By Ahmad Ghaddar

Sept 30 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is urging Europe to release emergency diesel stocks, sources say, putting the spotlight on the EU's stockpiles and those of France and Germany, which together account for more than a third of the bloc's strategic diesel reserves.

Diesel prices have surged to record or near-record levels in several markets, including in Europe, turning the fuel into a political and economic concern because it underpins trucking, agriculture and industry.

US officials are particularly frustrated with France and Germany, which they believe have fallen short of commitments made under a coordinated International Energy Agency emergency release of oil stocks agreed earlier this year to help offset supply disruptions linked to the Iran war, said the sources familiar with the US effort.

The EU did not immediately respond to requests for comment on US allegations that members were not living up to commitments.

European Union countries held about 39 million metric tons of emergency gasoil and diesel stocks, according to the latest available Eurostat data, for May 2025.

Germany held 5.6 million tons and France 8.2 million tons, meaning the two countries together accounted for about 35% of the EU's strategic reserves.

EU rules require member states to maintain emergency oil stocks covering at least 90 days of net imports or 61 days of domestic consumption, whichever is greater. The bloc as a whole is complying with the rules.

The dispute highlights the balancing act facing European governments. Having cut reliance on Russian fuel imports after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and significantly slashed its own refining capacity over the past two decades, Europe has become increasingly dependent on diesel imports from the US, especially as the Iran war slashes Middle East supplies.

The IEA agreed in March to release around 400 million barrels of emergency stocks globally, with the US providing 172 million barrels and EU countries committing to supply 20% of the overall volume.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said on Tuesday that the bloc had discussed possible additional stock releases with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol but had not yet decided whether to ask member states to release more.

(Reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar; editing by Alex Lawler and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)