US President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities and refinery closures in Democratic-led US states for rising fuel prices, as his administration faces pressure over energy costs ahead of November’s midterm elections.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was no longer the main factor driving gasoline prices because record amounts of oil were reaching global markets.
Instead, he pointed to disruptions at refineries in Russia and the US. “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 Russia’s are being blown up by Ukraine, and where ours are being closed up, in Blue States, like California, by the Dumocrats,” he wrote.
Energy prices have risen sharply since Iran cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have also contributed to higher prices, particularly for diesel, according to the report.
Trump’s comments come as rising fuel costs attract growing attention ahead of the November midterm elections. Diesel prices are a particular concern because of their impact on farmers, truckers, manufacturers and supply chains.
Trump Weighs Action On Diesel Prices
The President’s comments came hours after reports that his administration was preparing measures aimed at easing diesel prices. According to Politico, Trump was expected to announce the measures during a campaign stop in Nebraska, where high diesel costs have become a significant concern for farmers during the harvest season.
The reported measures include a Treasury Department review of certain taxes affecting diesel fuel, steps to expand access to tax-exempt red-dyed diesel, and requests for states to consider waiving some fuel taxes.
Trump had previously considered a ban on diesel exports, but ruled out that option 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, estimated that expanded access to dyed diesel could save some on-road users about 60 cents per gallon.
Others argue that taxes are not the main problem and that tighter supplies remain the bigger driver of prices.
Where Diesel Prices Are Highest
Diesel prices remain elevated across much of the US, particularly in western states, according to AAA data. California recorded the highest diesel price at $8.3583 per gallon, followed by Washington at $7.3262 and Hawaii at $7.1552.
The other states among the 10 with the highest prices were Oregon, Nevada, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Alaska and Pennsylvania.
Several of those states are also battlegrounds in the contest for control of the US Senate.
