President Donald Trump's campaign to reduce diesel costs has yet to halt rising prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. US diesel rose nearly 10 cents last week to USD 6.28 a gallon, staying near record highs, according to the Energy Information Administration. Higher fuel bills are hitting farmers, truckers, and other businesses that depend on diesel.
The White House has pledged more farm aid, relaxed trucking rules, eased sanctions on Russian fuel and pressed European allies to release reserves. Still, Republicans face a difficult election as voters remain worried about the cost of living.
Diesel Prices Raise Election and Inflation Stakes
An October Reuters/Ipsos poll found that nearly 80% of Americans hold Trump responsible for higher costs. The diesel surge has also fed inflation through freight rates, food production and the prices of some consumer goods.
The effects extend far beyond filling stations. Farmers need fuel to plant and harvest crops, while freight companies use it to move goods. Construction firms also face higher operating costs as diesel prices climb.
The political strain is especially visible in Iowa and Kansas. Farmers there face expensive fuel and fertilizer, trade disruptions and weak farm finances. According to a Reuters report, some voters in those Republican-leaning states have expressed frustration with the mounting bills.
Trump has presented his relief measures at campaign events across the Farm Belt. Yet the latest fuel increase followed two weeks of declines, raising the stakes for the administration's next steps.
Trucking Tax Relief Meets Uncertainty
At a Nebraska appearance, Trump signed an order allowing red-dyed diesel, usually reserved for off-road equipment, in highway vehicles. The temporary change aims to broaden options for truck operators struggling with pump prices.
But the Internal Revenue Service has not removed the federal diesel tax. Instead, it has waived certain reporting and record-keeping requirements and related penalties through the end of the year.
That distinction has left truck stops and fuel sellers unsure how to comply. David Fialkov, a senior representative of truck stop group NATSO, said the guidance remains unclear and exposes operators to risk. He doubted the change would substantially affect prices.
The administration has defended its approach. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers blamed longstanding refinery closures and damage from Russia's war in Ukraine for persistent costs. She said Trump was taking steps to save money for farmers, truckers and workers.
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Farm Aid and Russian Fuel Bring New Trade-Offs
In Kansas, Trump announced another USD 8 billion in farm assistance. Existing government payments were already on track to exceed USD 47 billion this year, including USD 12 billion in tariff relief issued earlier.
The new allocation would lift the annual total to a record USD 55.4 billion, above the USD 45 billion distributed in 2020. But the fresh support will not arrive before the election. USDA official Richard Fordyce said farmers may not receive it until year-end.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew warned that one-time payments cannot resolve the instability caused by trade disputes and rising fuel bills. The assistance cushions producers but does not directly increase diesel supplies.
Meanwhile, Trump has relaxed restrictions on Russian diesel to encourage imports and support talks over the Ukraine war and the release of detained American Stephen Hubbard. The move has drawn criticism from both parties over the risk of increasing Moscow's energy revenue.
Trump has also urged Europe to tap emergency fuel reserves and threatened restrictions on US diesel exports. Analysts identify the Iran conflict as the main driver of current supply disruptions, with Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries playing a smaller role.
As prices remained high, Trump placed more blame on Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Edward Fishman of the Council on Foreign Relations described the shift as an attempt to redirect responsibility for the diesel surge.
Final Thoughts
Trump's diesel initiatives have not reversed rising pump prices ahead of the November 3 vote. Trucking rule changes leave tax questions unresolved, while new farm aid will arrive after the election. Russian imports and pressure on European reserves add diplomatic costs as businesses continue to face expensive fuel.