Trump opens red-dyed diesel to truckers in bid to slash fuel costs

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in Grand Island, Nebraska, that lets truckers and others run highway trips on red-dyed diesel, a fuel ordinarily reserved for farm and construction equipment. The move arrives as record diesel prices put pressure on Trump and Republicans, who are campaigning on affordability ahead of the midterm elections. The administration estimates truckers could save more than $100 per refill, according to Fox Business.

Trump described the fuel as tax free, but the White House fact sheet says the order only delays payment of the federal excise tax until the close of the year, with no interest or penalties. Treasury is instructed to look into erasing the postponed bill, working with the secretary of war. It also asks White House staff to encourage states to follow suit on taxes.

The White House points to tight worldwide diesel supply and limited refining capacity, citing the Russia-Ukraine war and green energy policies it says led Democrat-led states to shut refineries. Transportation and Agriculture officials are tasked with improving supply access. The White House also says Trump struck a deal with Europe to put 100 million barrels of diesel from emergency stocks on the market over four months.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox Business’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox Business →