The French president Emmanuel Macron secured, this Tuesday, October 20, 2026, commitments on the supply of 200,000 additional tonnes of diesel from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as part of his Gulf tour. These announcements come as France faces rising fuel prices and social tensions, after the violence that marked last Saturday’s protests against the cost of living.
According to the Élysée Palace, these steps aim to rapidly strengthen the country’s energy supplies and curb pump price tensions.
Commitments from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
According to the Élysée, Emmanuel Macron secured commitments for deliveries of around 100,000 tonnes of diesel per month from the United Arab Emirates, as well as an equivalent amount from Bahrain.
The French president arrived on Tuesday afternoon in Bahrain, where he was welcomed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
These new commitments complement the additional volumes already negotiated with Saudi Arabia, estimated at 95,000 tonnes for the months of October and November.
An adviser to the French president spoke of a total volume of 295,000 tonnes, described as representing a little over 10% of France’s diesel consumption. According to estimates put forward by the presidency, this quantity would amount to about 2.25 million barrels and 30% of France’s monthly imports of refined products.
However, the exact frequency of the 95,000 tonnes announced from Saudi Arabia remains to be specified to confirm the total volume available each month.
A rise in diesel prices that intensifies tensions
These announcements come amid strong tensions in the French diesel market, marked by rising prices at gas stations.
France partly depends on imports to meet its diesel needs, which makes its market sensitive to disruptions in international trade of refined petroleum products.
The objective stated by the French administration is to diversify suppliers and to strengthen the available volumes to ease price pressures.
However, the announced commitments do not, by themselves, guarantee an immediate reduction in pump prices. Their effect will depend on actual deliveries and the evolution of international prices.
Kuwait also pledges deliveries for Mayotte and Réunion
Meanwhile, Kuwait has taken, according to the French presidency, ‘very clear commitments’ regarding the supply of diesel and kerosene to the French territories of Mayotte and Réunion, located in the Indian Ocean.
These supplies are expected to transit via the Sultanate of Oman, in a context of regional disruptions to maritime transport linked to the Middle East conflict and navigation restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The precise modalities of this routing, as well as the volumes and delivery schedules, have not been detailed.
For Paris, these diplomatic steps aim to secure fuel supplies, as energy and social tensions continue to weigh on the French domestic situation.
