Grassley urges Trump to place embargo on diesel exports amid high prices

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley on Saturday called on President Trump to block diesel exports, saying the high cost of diesel is damaging farm incomes. Grassley made the appeal on social media, comparing a potential diesel embargo to the agricultural export restrictions some presidents used in the 1970s to address elevated food prices.

Grassley specifically wrote that "High diesel prices ARE KILLING FARMERS INCOME" and later argued that if the government can embargo semiconductor exports to China, it can also embargo diesel to support American farmers and truckers. He framed the measure as a way to keep family farmers "on the strongest footing possible" despite global disruptions.

The push comes as diesel prices have climbed significantly: AAA reported a U.S. average of about $6.51 per gallon on Sunday evening, up from roughly $3.70 at the same time last year. In Iowa, AAA listed the average diesel price at about $6.29 per gallon. National averages rose by more than 40 cents within the prior week, according to the report.

Observers and officials have pointed to several international factors driving fuel costs. The administration has attributed some price pressure to energy infrastructure hits tied to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while longer-running tensions with Iran and intermittent closures in the Strait of Hormuz have also tightened global oil supply. The Hill reported it reached out to the White House for comment on Grassley's proposal.