The order, signed Monday in Nebraska, temporarily permits diesel normally restricted to off-road use on public roads and defers the 24.4 cents per gallon federal diesel tax through December 31 without interest or penalties. The tax is deferred, not eliminated, and the order directs the Treasury Department to explore eliminating the eventual bill.
Trucking groups criticized the measure as providing “Minimal relief,” while Ritterbusch said it does not address the underlying supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. US retail diesel averaged $6.32 a gallon Monday, up $2.63 from a year earlier. Trump also said Tuesday, “We're thinking about that,” when asked about suspending the federal gasoline tax, a step that would require congressional approval.