President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities and refinery closures in Democratic-led states for rising fuel costs in the United States, arguing that refinery disruptions, not turmoil in the Middle East, are now the main factor pushing prices higher. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was no longer the primary driver of gasoline prices because "Record Numbers of Barrels" of oil are reaching global markets. Instead, he pointed to the loss of refining capacity abroad and at home.
"What's driving up Gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz, because Record Numbers of Barrels are coming out now on an almost daily basis, but the word 'Refineries,' where Ukraine is blowing up Russia's, and where ours are being closed up, in Blue States, like California, by the Dumocrats," Trump wrote. The comments come amid mounting concern over fuel costs ahead of November's midterm elections, with diesel prices attracting particular scrutiny because of their impact on farmers, truckers, manufacturers and supply chains. Trump's post came hours after reports that his administration was preparing executive measures to ease diesel prices.
According to Politico, Trump is expected to announce the actions during a campaign stop in Nebraska this evening, a major agricultural state where rising diesel costs have become a significant issue for farmers during harvest season. The measures reportedly include a Treasury Department review of certain taxes affecting diesel fuel, steps intended to expand the availability of tax-exempt red-dyed diesel, and requests that states consider waiving some fuel taxes. The White House has faced pressure from agricultural groups and Republican lawmakers to address soaring diesel prices.
While Trump had previously floated the possibility of a diesel export ban, he ruled that option out last week after European countries agreed to release fuel from emergency reserves. Some analysts say tax relief could provide short-term savings. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, recently estimated expanded access to dyed diesel could save some on-road users around 60 cents per gallon.
Others argue taxes are not the core problem and that tightening supplies remain the bigger driver of prices. AAA data shows diesel prices remain elevated across much of the country, particularly in the West. California recorded the highest diesel price in the nation at $8.3583 per gallon, followed by Washington ($7.3262) and Hawaii ($7.1552).
The other states in the top 10 were Oregon ($6.7972), Nevada ($6.7647), Indiana ($6.7452), Illinois ($6.6819), Michigan ($6.6162), Alaska ($6.5810) and Pennsylvania ($6.5574). Several states on AAA's list are also battlegrounds in the fight for Senate control. Two of those states, Michigan and Pennsylvania, are home to highly competitive Senate contests that could help decide control of the chamber after the midterm elections.
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