We Export 48 Million Barrels of Diesel per Month, Why Import from Russia?

Importing Russian diesel is illegal. There is no real need anyway.

Diesel Exports and Imports Latest Numbers

• Exports: 48.7 million barrels
• Imports: 4.3 million barrels
• Net: 44.4 million barrels.

US Energy Information Agency data shows the US is exporting record amounts of diesel and record amounts of net diesel.

U.S. Diesel Trade Balance Summary (Mid-2026)

Trump’s Diesel Announcement

Truth Social: I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter. Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel. Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST! Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

Oct 09, 2026, 12:46 PM

Expression in tons is purposely confusing. To convert Trump’s announcement from metric tons to millions of barrels, we use the standard petroleum conversion factor for diesel (distillate fuel oil), which is approximately 7.46 barrels per metric ton.

Mathematical Breakdown

• Immediate Supply: 300,000 Tons = 2.24 million barrels
• November Supply: 500,000 Tons = 3.73 million barrels
• Immediately Thereafter: 1,000,000 Tons = 7.46 million barrels
• Short Period Delivery: 3,000,000 Tons = 22.38 million barrels
• Total Promised: 4,800,000 Tons = 35.81 million barrels

Key Deal Points

1. It represents less than a month of U.S. exports: The entire 35.81 million barrel multi-phase pool promised by Russia is less than the 48.7 million barrels that the U.S. exports to other countries in a single month.
2. The immediate supply is a drop in the bucket: The “immediate” 2.24 million barrels amounts to just about 1.5 days worth of standard U.S. diesel exports (~1.62 million barrels per day).

Analyzing Trump’s Diesel Deal

Volume-wise, the deal is meaningless.

From an election standpoint, it’s an act of desperation.

Q: How desperate?
A: Very, because the deal is illegal.

The Graham Act Legal Contradiction

President Trump recently signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law to honor the late South Carolina senator.

• The Violation: The law explicitly bars energy imports from Russia until its aggression against Ukraine completely ends.
• The Fiction: The administration bypassed this law by claiming an unverified “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine to issue an OFAC sanctions waiver. Bipartisan lawmakers have already labeled this an outright violation of the very act the administration just enacted.

Trump Explains the Deal

Despite the lead chart, there is a convoluted reason to import some diesel. But there is also a much better solution.

The Regional Disconnect (East Coast Bottleneck)

• The Problem: Most U.S. diesel exports leave from the Gulf Coast.
• The Bottleneck: Moving Gulf diesel to the Northeast faces severe limits.
  • The Jones Act: Restricts domestic shipping to U.S.-flagged vessels.
  • Pipeline Capacity: The Colonial Pipeline operates at maximum capacity.
• The Paradox: Shorter sea routes make foreign imports cheaper for New York.

Jones Act Diesel Stupidity

The Jones Act is the killer here.

The Jones Act—officially known as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act—was passed by Congress in early June 1920 and officially signed into law on June 5, 1920, by President Woodrow Wilson.

The primary purpose of the Jones Act was to promote US shipbuilding. It has failed miserably because US labor costs are too high.

Ironically, as a result of this sorry act, we import some diesel.

Also, the Jones Act makes domestic food so expensive to ship coastwise that it forces non-contiguous states and territories like Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico to buy foreign food instead of American food.

Direct Jones Act Agricultural Stupidity

• The Mandated Trade Diversion: Because the law outlaws using cheaper foreign vessels to move food from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii or Puerto Rico, it acts as a structural tariff on domestic trade.
• The Import Result: To avoid this “tax,” these regions legally import food from foreign countries like New Zealand, Ecuador, or Canada using foreign ships.

Now, how stupid is that?

Synopsis

• The deal is economically meaningless and will do nothing for farmers.
• The deal may save a few cents, if that, for the East coast, assuming we actually see imports.
• But the deal is illegal and will never fly if someone with standing challenges the deal in court.
• Trump does not care about illegalities. He pretends he is a king.
• If we killed the Jones Act, we would import less food and no diesel.

Trump Humiliated by Putin Within Hours of His Ceasefire Announcement

Earlier today I noted Trump Humiliated by Putin Within Hours of His Ceasefire Announcement

What Trump Does Best

Looking like a fool is what Trump does best. He cannot control himself. And it does not matter the subject.

If Trump wants something he announces it. Legalities and constitutionality do not matter.

Reciprocal tariffs, birthright citizenship, the SAVE Act and mail-in voting executive orders, flouting the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), tariff rebates, $5,000 vote-for-me bribes, are examples.

Trump views himself as a king. He wants dictatorial powers so he assumes them, no more no less.

Regarding diesel, Trump must love getting bitch-slapped by Putin because he keeps begging for more.

His stupid war and stupid tariffs are going to cost Republicans the Senate in the midterm elections.

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