The Diesel Technology Forum's Allen Schaeffer, executive director for the organization, highlighted the importance of diesel engines, fuels and equipment in global commerce and international trade during World Trade Week.

Schaeffer explained that the U.S. is a leader in the manufacture of new clean diesel technology and that diesel product and fuel exports represent $46.2 billion of total U.S. exports, according to a study by Aspen Environmental and M-Cubed.

He also noted that the U.S. exports a significant number of diesel products and fuels, which together represent 4.4 percent of $1.06 trillion dollars in exports. Of those exports, refineries account for the largest proportion, at $9.5 billion. From other diesel industry segments, truck manufacturing accounts for $9.1 billion (36 percent of total production), construction equipment makes up $7.8 billion (18 percent of production), and diesel engine manufacturing represents $6.9 billion (22 percent of production).

Schaeffer went on to say that America’s clean diesel technology is increasingly in demand around the world and that it will continue to play a vital role in growing America’s core domestic economy and improving the quality of life around the world due to the reduced emissions associated with this technology. Schaeffer added that wider availability of low-sulfur diesel fuel is the first step to a global clean diesel future, and that the U.S. is a net exporter of this fuel, sending 262 million barrels of clean fuel abroad in 2012.