# Trump Fuel Measures Struggle to Lower Prices as Supply Risks Persist

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/28888
Published: 2026-10-09T11:16:06.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-09T11:16:06.000Z
Section: Regulation

> Diesel reached $6.52 per gallon in September, while gasoline rose above $4 as refining, transport and global supply constraints limited policy relief.

U.S. fuel prices remain elevated before the Nov. 3 midterm elections as refining capacity, energy transport and global supply constraints limit the impact of measures from the Trump administration.

Diesel prices reached a record $6.52 per gallon in September, while gasoline rose from about $3 per gallon at the start of the year to above $4.

The administration has allowed some dyed diesel previously reserved for agricultural and construction use to be sold for road use and delayed related federal excise tax payments. The measures could reduce costs by as much as 60 cents per gallon but are unlikely to fundamentally increase fuel supplies.

The White House has also pushed for more oil to be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, considered suspending the federal gasoline tax and weighed restrictions on diesel exports. Further reserve releases could have limited room after the stockpile is expected to fall to about 244 million barrels.

Restricting diesel exports could fill domestic storage tanks, reduce refinery operations and potentially affect gasoline availability. Limiting energy exports could also tighten global supplies and leave the United States exposed to international energy markets.

Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Russia-Ukraine conflict’s impact on the refining supply chain have added to diesel-price pressure.

Brent crude briefly fell to $102.91 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude fell at one point to about $90.40 after Trump signaled progress in talks with Iran and a possible pause in military action before the election.

Tax relief and reserve releases may provide temporary relief, but fuel prices will remain sensitive to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and continuing risks in Eastern Europe.