Ben Munster
Verified
As seen in:
POLITICO Europe,
MSN,
MSN Deutschland,
Scribd,
The London Standard,
Yahoo Finance,
POLITICO,
Substack,
The New Yorker,
VICE,
CoinDesk
and
@politicoeurope reporter, formerly in Rome, now covering energy in Brussels. Prev in NYer, Air Mail, FP, FT. bmunster@politico.eu, WhatsApp/Signal +447772679024
Articles by Ben Munster
Europe’s conservatives have 2 new targets in their campaign to weaken EU climate laws
BRUSSELS — Center-right lawmakers in the European Parliament are intensifying efforts to weaken two EU climate laws, a campaign that threatens to undermine the bloc’s push to cut planet-warming emissions. The European People’s Party, the largest group in Parliament, will this week push for a three-year delay to rules on emissions of the climate pollutant methane, a change the fossil fuel sector and the U.S. government have lobbied hard for.
Costa angers EU leaders as splits mar summit
BRUSSELS ― António Costa is supposed to be the dealmaker who brings European leaders together. Increasingly, his efforts are going unrewarded. Costa — who, unlike most of the EU’s current big beasts, is a Socialist — suffered his most stinging criticism since taking the role of European Council president nearly two years ago at a summit of the bloc’s national leaders on Thursday.
Von der Leyen floats EU ‘strategic reserves’ for gas amid winter supply fears
BRUSSELS — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants EU leaders to look into the idea of developing bloc-wide strategic gas reserves amid concerns the continent faces a winter shortage, three diplomats and two EU officials told POLITICO.
Brussels says EU countries partly to blame for failure on key climate rule
BRUSSELS — EU leaders on Thursday are expected to push the European Commission to further delay major climate rules that governments say are unworkable. But the EU executive thinks they should take a look in the mirror. The European Commission on Wednesday announced plans for a one-year delay of the EU's flagship methane regulation, which requires fossil fuel importers to monitor and eventually reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas, a major cause of global warming.
EU-Kommission plant einjährigen Aufschub der Methanregeln
BRÜSSEL – Die Europäische Kommission bereitet sich darauf vor, die Vorschriften in der EU-Methanverordnung um ein Jahr zu verschieben – ein Zugeständnis an die fossile Industrie, die Trump-Regierung und einige EU-Mitgliedstaaten. Die Vorschriften sollten ursprünglich im kommenden Januar in Kraft treten. Sie würden Öl- und Gasunternehmen dazu verpflichten, Methanemissionen entlang ihrer Lieferkette zu überwachen und zu melden.
Big Oil persuaded EU to delay methane rules. It’s not stopping there.
BRUSSELS — The European Commission is preparing to delay a key EU climate law by a year, as a concession to the fossil fuel sector, the Trump administration and some EU member countries. But already Big Oil is pushing for more drastic changes to the landmark Methane Regulation, and supporters of the law fear it will be hard to stop them from getting their way.
EU faces gas supply shortage as winter looms
BRUSSELS — The EU is facing a winter gas shortage that could leave it scrambling to replace lost energy supplies equivalent to the power used by 12 million homes, according to new reports shared with POLITICO. The shortfall raises the prospect of a winter of soaring power bills and forced energy saving measures if the bloc fails to find adequate supplies elsewhere.
EU countries will release fresh oil stocks only after top agency assessment
BRUSSELS — The EU will only conduct further releases of oil and diesel reserves after the International Energy Agency has made it clear such a move would not be damaging to the bloc's energy security, three diplomats familiar with the matter told POLITICO. The Group of Seven — which includes Italy, Japan. Germany the U.K., France and the U.S. — agreed on Friday to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel after U.S. officials threatened to ban diesel exports if they didn't tap stockpiles.
EU-Länder wollen erst nach Prüfung durch die IEA neue Ölvorräte freigeben
BRÜSSEL — Die EU wird erst dann weitere Öl- und Dieselreserven freigeben, wenn die Internationale Energieagentur (IEA) klargestellt hat, dass ein solcher Schritt die Energiesicherheit der Union nicht beeinträchtigen würde. Das erklärten drei mit der Angelegenheit vertraute Diplomaten gegenüber POLITICO. Die Gruppe der Sieben – zu der Italien, Japan, Deutschland, Großbritannien, Frankreich, Kanada und die USA gehören – einigte sich am Freitag darauf, 100 Millionen Barrel Öl und Diesel freizugeben.
Berlin und Paris: Diesel-Versprechen an Trump erfordert keine neue Freigabe
BRÜSSEL — Deutschland und Frankreich teilten am Mittwoch mit, dass sie Dieselvorräte freigeben werden, die bereits im März im Rahmen der G7-Zusage zugesagt worden waren. Damit bleibt unklar, ob darüber hinaus noch weitere Bestände freigegeben werden, wie zwei mit der Angelegenheit vertraute Diplomaten gegenüber POLITICO sagten.
France and Germany say diesel promise to Trump won’t require new stock release
BRUSSELS — France and Germany said Wednesday that they will release diesel stocks that were already committed in March as part of the G7 pledge to tap stockpiles of oil products, leaving it uncertain as to whether any new barrels will be released in addition, two diplomats familiar with the matter told POLITICO. The comments suggest Europe's promise to U.S. President Donald Trump last week to release millions of barrels of the transport fuel was less generous than it sounded.
‘Blackmail’: Europe Fumes Against White House Demand for More Diesel
The Trump administration’s full-court pressure campaign on Europe to release diesel supplies or face a U.S. export ban heading into the winter has split and angered European leaders, entangled oil companies and raised private charges of “blackmail.” It also appears to have worked.
‘Blackmail’: Europe fumes against White House demand for more diesel
Climate 8 hours ago America is hurtling toward a power grid crisis Yale Climate Connections - by Dana Nuccitelli • 8h Electricity demand is skyrocketing, utility bills are spiking – but it could take years to build the new transmission lines that would address the … Jimmy Kimmel 9 hours ago Jimmy Kimmel has the perfect response to Trump appearing to doze off on camera again Mashable - Sam Haysom • 9h "Only Donald Trump..." Jimmy Kimmel has made many jokes about Trump appearing to fall asleep...
‘Blackmail': Europe fumes against White House demand for more diesel
White House strong-arming led to G7 countries announcing they would release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from their strategic reserves. French President Emmanuel Macron, center, walks with French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot as they head to Trump Tower in New York City on Sept. 21, 2026, ahead of a meeting with President Donald Trump.
‘Blackmail’: Europe fumes against White House demand for more diesel
The Trump administration's full-court pressure campaign on Europe to release diesel supplies or face a U.S. export ban heading into the winter has split and angered European leaders, entangled oil companies and raised private charges of "blackmail." It also appears to have worked.
G7 agrees major release of oil stocks following pressure from the US
BRUSSELS — The G7 group of rich countries has agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil over the next four months, following intense pressure from the Trump administration for Europe to tap its stockpiles of diesel. The French government announced the decision after an emergency of G7 countries on Friday, saying the release of 100 million barrels of oil would "begin immediately" and would start with release of diesel stocks.
Francja "chętna" ugiąć się pod groźbą Trumpa dotyczącą paliw. Inne kraje UE "nie chcą być wykorzystywane"
Prośbę do UE poprzedziła groźba wprowadzenia przez Amerykanów potencjalnie paraliżującego zakazu eksportu paliw z USA. Zgodnie z propozycją przedstawioną podczas piątkowego spotkania urzędników wysokiej rangi ds. energii Paryż zasugerował, aby kraje UE uwolniły 50 mln baryłek ropy naftowej i 50 mln baryłek oleju napędowego — twierdzi dwóch informatorów POLITICO. Pomysł ten jest nadal przedmiotem oceny technicznej — dodaje jeden z nich.
G7 to hold emergency talks over possible diesel release
BRUSSELS — The G7 club of rich countries are preparing to convene later today to explore whether to release further diesel reserves to bring down fuel prices. Four people familiar with the matter confirmed the plan to POLITICO. The meeting will take place after the U.S. pressured European countries to act on their reserves or face an export ban.
Frankreich erwägt Freigabe von Öl- und Dieselreserven nach US-Druck
BRÜSSEL - Französische Regierungsvertreter haben am Freitag bei Krisengesprächen eine umfangreiche Freigabe strategischer Öl- und Dieselreserven vorgeschlagen, wie zwei mit den Einzelheiten des Treffens vertraute Personen POLITICO berichteten. Zuvor hatte Washington europäische Regierungen gedrängt, ihre Vorräte auszuschütten, andernfalls drohe ein Verbot von US-Dieselexporten.
Diesel : sous la pression des Etats-Unis, l’exécutif envisage de libérer une part importante de ses réserves
BRUXELLES — Lors de discussions d’urgence vendredi, le gouvernement français a évoqué la possibilité de libérer une partie des stocks stratégiques de pétrole et de gazole, après que l’administration Trump a fait pression sur les pays européens pour qu’ils mettent leurs réserves sur le marché, a appris POLITICO de deux personnes au fait des échanges.
France floats major oil and diesel reserve release in response to US pressure
BRUSSELS — French officials proposed a large release of strategic oil and diesel reserves during emergency talks Friday after Washington urged European capitals to tap stockpiles or face a potentially crippling ban on fuel exports, according to two people briefed on the meeting. Under a proposal made during a gathering of senior European energy officials Friday, Paris suggested that EU countries release 50 million barrels of crude oil and 50 million barrels of diesel, according to the people.
Diesel américain : la France et quatre autres pays européens s’accordent sur une réponse “ferme”
BRUXELLES — Cinq pays européens, dont la France, ont convenu lors d’une réunion d'urgence jeudi de répondre “d’une seule voix” aux pressions croissantes exercées par le gouvernement américain pour qu’ils libèrent leurs réserves stratégiques de gazole, a appris POLITICO auprès de plusieurs personnes au fait des discussions.
Europäische Länder vereinbaren „entschlossene“ Reaktion auf Diesel-Druck aus den USA
BRÜSSEL — Fünf europäische Länder haben sich am Donnerstag bei einem Krisentreffen darauf geeinigt, „mit einer Stimme“ auf den wachsenden Druck der US-Regierung zu reagieren, europäische Dieselreserven freizugeben. Das erfuhr POLITICO aus Kreisen, die mit der Angelegenheit vertraut sind.
Polska ma jedne z największych w UE rezerw najbardziej poszukiwanego paliwa na świecie. Amerykanie chcą je teraz wykorzystać
Administracja Donalda Trumpa rozesłała do rządów europejskich propozycję, w której zwraca się do nich o uwolnienie znacznej części strategicznych rezerw oleju napędowego Unii Europejskiej w celu złagodzenia skutków gwałtownego wzrostu kosztów paliwa — informuje czterech urzędników z rządów europejskich i amerykańskich. Plan, przedstawiony przez sekretarza ds.
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.
Wie Trumps Energieminister die EU zur Freigabe von Dieselreserven drängt
BERLIN — Die Trump-Regierung hat europäische Regierungen aufgefordert, einen Großteil der strategischen Dieselreserven der EU freizugeben, um so die stark steigenden Kraftstoffkosten zu dämpfen. Das sagten vier Regierungsvertreter aus der EU und den USA gegenüber POLITICO. Der von US-Energieminister Chris Wright vorgelegte Vorschlag wurde als Alternative zu der Drohung von Präsident Donald Trump präsentiert, ein pauschales Verbot für Dieselexporte aus den USA zu verhängen (POLITICO berichtete).
Trump’s energy chief asked Europe to release more than a third of its diesel reserves
BERLIN — The Trump administration has circulated a proposal to European governments asking them to release a large portion of the bloc’s strategic diesel reserves to ease soaring fuel costs, according to four officials in European and U.S. governments.
Zima może mocno uderzyć w portfele Europejczyków. Ministrowie szukają ratunku. "Nie możemy wiele zrobić"
Podczas nieformalnego spotkania we wtorek w Dublinie europejscy ministrowie ds. energii stanęli w obliczu ponurej rzeczywistości. Ceny gazu ziemnego osiągnęły przed zimą poziom bliski najwyższemu od czterech lat, europejskie rezerwy gazu są niezwykle niskie, a trwający konflikt na Bliskim Wschodzie oznacza, że cieśnina Ormuz pozostaje zamknięta na czas nieokreślony.
Tax cuts, handouts and blind hope: Europe finds few tools to fight a coming energy crisis
DUBLIN — European energy officials highlighted handouts and tax cuts as the only viable ways to shield consumers from surging energy costs this winter — while hoping that U.S. President Donald Trump wouldn't add fuel to the fire by banning American diesel exports. At an informal gathering of European energy ministers on Tuesday in Dublin, the outlook was grim.
Interdiction des exportations de diesel : Trump devrait y renoncer, positivent des responsables européens
DUBLIN — Des hauts responsables de l’UE se sont montrés prudemment optimistes, mardi, quant à la possibilité que le président américain Donald Trump revienne sur sa menace d’interdire les exportations de diesel pendant quatre-vingt-dix jours, afin de lutter contre la hausse des prix.
EU zuversichtlich, dass Trump seinen Plan für einen Dieselexport-Stopp aufgeben wird
DUBLIN – Regierungsvertreter der EU und ihrer Mitgliedstaaten äußerten sich am Dienstag vorsichtig optimistisch, dass US-Präsident Donald Trump seine Drohung, Dieselexporte für 90 Tage auszusetzen, zurücknehmen werde.
EU officials confident Trump will drop plan to ban diesel exports
DUBLIN — Senior EU officials expressed cautious optimism Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump would renege on his threat to exports of diesel for 90-days to combat rising prices. Irish Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien, whose government holds the EU's rotating presidency, told reporters ahead of an EU ministerial summit in Dublin that he had heard assurances from Trump administration officials in Washington D.C. last week that the ban was unlikely.
How a diesel ban could burn US credibility
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You
Trump’s diesel threat risks burning U.S. credibility
Lifestyle 5 hours ago The senators spending the most on flights Axios - Stef W. Kight • 5h Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has spent more taxpayer money on travel than any other senator's office since the fall of 2024 — including $625,000 on … Black Community 5 hours ago Trump Is Up Against An Opponent He Can't Bully: Numbers levelman.com - Wayne Ince • 5h I sprinted through the rain to Publix and got there breathless, shirt stuck to my back. The run was the easy part.
How a diesel ban could burn US credibility
President Donald Trump's threat to curtail diesel shipments abroad comes with a risk: the perception that he's reneging on his promise to shower the world with U.S. fuels. That move would inflame tensions between the U.S. and Europe while jeopardizing American credibility as a trading partner, energy experts and administration allies said. And it could compel nations to seek other suppliers, limiting Trump's ability to wield energy as a negotiating tool in the future, they added.
US push to flood Balkans with American gas sparks concerns in Brussels
VIENNA — A push by U.S. energy companies to deepen their influence in the Western Balkans is fueling EU concerns that the region could end up hooked on American fossil fuels — just as it attempts to reach clean energy targets to integrate more closely with the bloc. Albania, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have all signaled interest in buying large volumes of liquefied natural gas from the U.S. or in building infrastructure to support inflows.
EU launches diplomatic offensive to stop Trump’s diesel export ban
BRUSSELS — EU officials warned Thursday that a U.S. plan to ban diesel exports for 90 days could have a significant impact on European markets and said the bloc was in talks with the Trump administration to wave it off the ban. "The European Union views with concern the report that the U.S. plans to ban diesel exports, including to the European Union," Olof Gill, a spokesperson for the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, told reporters in response to a question for POLITICO.
Trump’s diesel export threat meets a shrug in fuel-strapped Europe
BRUSSELS — European authorities have downplayed threats that the United States could temporarily ban all exports of U.S. diesel, despite warnings that such a ban would have "very serious" consequences for the continent's energy supply. On Wednesday POLITICO reported the White House was preparing a 90-day ban on exports of diesel, a move that would blow a huge hole in Europe's supply of the fuel that's used in heavy transport and industry.
Trump’s diesel export threat meets a shrug in fuel-strapped Europe
Tim Kelly 5 hours ago Judge lifts Trump ban on CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House CNBC - Sam Meredith, Dan Mangan • 5h A federal judge on Thursday ordered White House access to journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico to be temporarily restored, saying U.S. President … World News 3 hours ago China now makes up a record 40% of all global container exports—and it’s a sign Trump’s tariffs meant to punish Chinese firms have fallen flat Fortune - Sasha Rogelberg • 3h China keeps growing its...
The Norwegian gas plant that could safeguard Europe from Trump
Europe's newfound focus on energy security has sparked interest in ramping up gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf. Two platforms, part of the Johan Sverdrup oil field, stand in the North Sea west of the town of Stavanger, Norway. | Tom Little/AFP via Getty Images 09/05/2026 09:00 PM EDT STAVANGER, Norway — Europe was supposed to leave gas facilities like Kårstø behind. Instead, the giant processing plant is at the center of a wider continental shift. Emission reductions are out.
The Norwegian gas plant that could safeguard Europe from Trump
STAVANGER, Norway — Europe was supposed to leave gas facilities like Kårstø behind. Instead, the giant processing plant is at the center of a wider continental shift. Emission reductions are out. Energy security is in. Wars in Iran and Ukraine have upended Europe's climate and clean energy plans, leaving the continent scrambling to secure gas still needed to generate electricity, heat homes and power factories.
The Norwegian gas plant that could safeguard Europe from Trump
STAVANGER, Norway — Europe was supposed to leave gas facilities like Kårstø behind. Instead, the giant processing plant is at the center of a wider continental shift. Emission reductions are out. Energy security is in. Wars in Iran and Ukraine have upended Europe’s climate and clean energy plans, leaving the continent scrambling to secure gas still needed to generate electricity, heat homes and power factories.
Tripolis will die Energielücke in Europa füllen, sagt Libyens Ölminister
Stavanger, Norwegen – Libyen ist zuversichtlich, dass es Europa dabei helfen kann, die durch die Sperrung der Straße von Hormus entstandenen Verluste bei der Energieversorgung auszugleichen. Allerdings werfen der grassierende Schmuggel und Angriffe auf kritische Infrastruktur Fragen hinsichtlich der Fähigkeit des Landes auf, die seit über einem Jahrzehnt andauernden Unruhen zu überwinden.
Libya wants to fill the European energy void left by Hormuz, says oil minister
STAVANGER, Norway — Libya believes it can help Europe offset energy supply losses resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, even as rampant smuggling and attacks on critical infrastructure raise questions about the country's ability to overcome over a decade of unrest.
EU should stop moralizing on Arctic oil and let us get drilling, says Norway
STAVANGER, Norway — Norway's energy minister has accused the European Commission of hypocrisy in seeking to curb Arctic oil and gas drilling while member countries increasingly turn to the region to secure energy supplies.
E&E News: Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk
Consumers face higher energy costs and possible shortages if EU governments don’t fill up gas reserves fast. ENERGYWIRE | BERLIN — Europe’s reserves of natural gas are running dangerously low, risking fresh energy woes if the Iran war rages on and cold spells drive up heating demand over winter. But the continent’s top energy user doesn’t seem too bothered.
Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk
BERLIN — Europe's reserves of natural gas are running dangerously low, risking fresh energy woes if the Iran war rages on and cold spells drive up heating demand over winter. But the continent's top energy user doesn't seem too bothered. Germany is the EU's biggest vulnerability because its sheer size means gas shortfalls there could be felt in neighboring countries, driving up prices across the bloc if it fails to restore its reserves.
E&E News: Greek gas concession unlocks EU’s Russia sanctions package
The agreement resolves a dispute over shipping Russian gas to third countries and freezes the bloc’s price cap on Russian crude oil for 12 months. ENERGYWIRE | BRUSSELS — EU countries reached a deal Thursday on a sweeping 21st sanctions package against Moscow, but only by allowing Greece to keep sending Russian gas to countries outside the bloc.
E&E News: EU natural gas prices surge as Middle East violence flares again
Traders fear that they’re going to need to permanently price in instability in the Strait of Hormuz as shortages loom and Asian demand heats up. ENERGYWIRE | BRUSSELS — European natural gas prices shot to a four-month high as renewed violence around the Strait of Hormuz triggered concerns about the feasibility of transporting energy through the world’s most vital energy choke point.
Niestabilność na Bliskim Wschodzie zbiera żniwo. Ceny gazu ziemnego poszybowały
Ceny gazu ziemnego w Europie osiągnęły najwyższy poziom od czterech miesięcy — ponowne wybuchy przemocy w rejonie cieśniny Ormuz wywołały obawy co do możliwości transportu surowców energetycznych przez ten kluczowy punkt strategiczny na świecie. Referencyjna cena gazu ziemnego w Europie (holenderski TTF) — w poniedziałek na krótko przekroczyła 60 euro (ok. 260 zł) za megawatogodzinę, osiągając najwyższy poziom od połowy marca.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Ben
Contact Ben, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack