Trump targets tax-free diesel as Republicans approach midterms

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ease limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel. According to France 24, Trump said the move would save farmers millions of dollars and lower the cost of goods. However, analysts said the change would not benefit farmers already using tax-exempt fuel, as reported by France 24.

The executive order, as reported by Live Mint, eliminates the requirement restricting tax-free diesel to off-road use, allowing wider purchases of red-dyed diesel. This type of diesel is commonly used in agriculture and certain off-road vehicles. The order was announced at a rally in Nebraska and comes roughly a month before the US midterm elections, scheduled for November 3.

The move is seen as an attempt to alleviate pressure on Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, with fuel prices having risen amid global conflicts. According to Live Mint, diesel prices have climbed due to the US-Israel war with Iran and Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump's approval rating has been at a record low, with only 32 percent of Americans approving of his presidency, as reported by The Jakarta Post.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, The Jakarta Post, Live Mint — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.