European countries agree on ‘assertive’ response to US pressure on diesel

BRUSSELS — Five European countries agreed at an emergency meeting Thursday to respond with "one voice" to growing pressure from the U.S. government to release reserves of diesel, according to people familiar with the matter. France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Ireland and the European Commission joined the talks to decide how to respond to pressure from Washington to draw down oil stockpiles or face a ban on U.S. exports of diesel, three European officials told POLITICO. All these countries have been privately pressured by the U.S. to draw down oil stockpiles or face a ban on U.S. exports of diesel, two of the people said.