President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at driving down record diesel prices as soaring fuel costs threaten to squeeze American truckers, businesses and consumers just weeks before the midterm elections.
Diesel surged to around $6.50 a gallon last month, piling fresh pressure on the White House as the November 3 vote approaches and threatening to push up the cost of transporting everything from groceries to construction materials across the country.
The dramatic spike has been fueled by turmoil overseas and in response to the wars in Iran and Ukraine which have led to attacks on refineries in Russia and the Middle East.
Trump's new order seeks to rapidly expand the amount of diesel available to American motorists and businesses, including by opening the door to greater use of so-called red-dyed diesel.
Red dye diesel is normally reserved for agriculture, construction equipment and other off-road uses and is exempt from federal highway taxes.
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