EU energy officials will meet tomorrow amid a growing standoff between Europe and the United States over diesel prices.
US President Donald Trump is reported to have threatened a 90-day ban on exports of US diesel unless France and Germany release 120 million barrels of diesel from their strategic reserves in order to help lower prices.
The soaring cost of diesel in the US, where the fuel has risen to $6.40 per gallon, is adding to voter discontent ahead of the midterm elections next month.
President Trump has blamed the spike in diesel prices on Ukraine hitting Russian oil refineries.
However, most analysts say the Iran war is the main driver in rising fuel costs.
Irish, French, German, Italian and UK officials held a joint phone call with the European Commission this afternoon to discuss the issue.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment: "The diesel market is currently very tight, leading to high prices for consumers across the world.
"The Commission along with Ireland as Presidency of the Council of the EU is closely coordinating with EU Member States to take stock of the situation and examine appropriate measures to tackle these high prices.
"Such discussion will also involve the [International Energy Agency] which has coordinated a collective action in spring this year to support oil markets.
"The Commission has convened an Energy Union Task Force meeting on Friday, 2 October."
The EU's trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said he had the global diesel market with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and expressed Europe's desire for a coordinated approach to lowering prices.
Sefcovic told reporters on the sidelines of a G20 trade ministers meeting in Milwaukee that any move to restrict diesel exports would be unexpected and have detrimental effects on Europe's economic performance.
Additional reporting Reuters
