The federal economy ministry, headed by Katherina Reiche of the CDU, says there is no risk of a gasoline shortage in Germany. “The federal government currently does not assume a physical shortage” the ministry replied to an inquiry from the Greens, a statement reported by “Spiegel”.
Reiche’s remarks at a conference in the United States appear to contradict that assessment. According to the magazine, the CDU politician said: “We still see no volume shortages, but if the conflict does not end, we likely expect a problem by the end of April or May”. She was referring to the Gulf conflict, where US and Israeli attacks have blocked the Strait of Hormuz for weeks, taking roughly ten percent of global oil supplies out of circulation. The ministry clarified that the minister was speaking of a worst‑case scenario involving an ongoing, unabated military confrontation in the Middle East coupled with a permanent closure of the Hormuz waterway.
Oil and gasoline expert Steffen Bukold of Hamburg’s Energycomment also sees no shortage. “Unlike other European countries, Germany almost fully covers its own fuel demand” Bukold told “Spiegel”. Domestic refineries even produce more gasoline than the country consumes, and about ninety percent of diesel needs are met locally.
A genuine shortage at German petrol stations would only arise if the United States halted its exports. U.S. exports account for roughly ten percent of global oil demand. If those shipments were entirely stopped-and not simply redirected elsewhere-the supply in Europe could become scarce.
Despite this, officials from Minister Reiche’s ministry express little concern. “U.S. Energy Secretary Wright and Interior Secretary Burgum have publicly affirmed that no export restrictions on oil and gas are being planned” the ministry said in response to the Greens.
Michael Kellner of the Greens-who formerly served as parliamentary state secretary in the ministry under Minister Robert Habeck-views the stance as overly optimistic. “The government is dangerously naïve about the extortions that Donald Trump can exert” Kellner remarked.
