Australia in talks with US over Trump diesel export ban threat

Australia is in talks with the US amid fears the Trump administration could follow through with a ban on oil exports, Anthony Albanese has confirmed. Prime Minister Albanese said Tuesday that Australia continues to engage with the US on the issue, arguing against tariffs and for free trade. Treasurer Jim Chalmers called a US diesel export ban "a very concerning development" for the global economy, though Australia is not currently reliant on US diesel imports. Australia imports most of its diesel from Asia, with South Korea supplying nearly 29 percent. The threat comes as Middle East conflict spikes risks for oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, with renewed US-Iran fighting and Saudi-Houthi flare-ups prompting France to deploy troops to safeguard a Saudi oil terminal.