The European Union rejected the US threat to ban any diesel exports unless the bloc releases more of its fuel stocks, France 24 reported.

“We fully reject any ban on diesel. A ban would not be beneficial to anyone. It would undermine our trust in the United States as a reliable partner,” European Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said. The 27-nation bloc was ready to work with the International Energy Agency (IEA) on the possible release of fuel reserves to contain prices, she added. Average US diesel prices have surged more than 70 percent to $6.39 a gallon since the start of the Iran war, according to motorists’ association AAA.