
Should the UK stop buying US diesel in response to threats of US export bans and look for alternative supplies?
The US supplies a significant share of UK diesel imports. President Trump is actively considering a ban on American diesel exports to keep US prices low, prompting UK government talks with Washington to avert disruption. The UK is a net importer of diesel with shrinking domestic refining capacity and already draws supplies from the Middle East, North Africa and other producers.
6 Opinions
We need an alternative before anything else. But simply put, relying on an 'America First' administration that views global trade as an extortion racket is suicidal for national energy security
Secure the alternative first
It shouldn't stop buying but for sure it should start looking for alternative sources.
The sensible approach is to look elsewhere anyway, then buy less if we succeed elsewhere. But with the reductions caused by the Strait of Hormuz and the Ukrainians battering Russian refineries... Between them, Ed Miliband and Ed Davey have sacrificed (IIRC) half a dozen of our refineries on the altar of Net Zero. When you're hanging on by your fingernails, don't go waving your arms around.
We can't buy it if he bans it anyway, source from elsewhere and as much as possible disentangle our energy sources from the whims of oligarchs
No to the first part, yes to the second. Why stop buying - it just doesn't make sense. However, we'd be idiots if we didn't take steps to find other sources. (methinks we're screwed with this government - they'll stop buying but forget to look elsewhere because they thought is was whatshisname's job)