U.S. voters are deeply frustrated by the high price of gas, and the Trump administration is under intense pressure to bring down fuel costs before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s order instructs Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to \u201cdefer certain diesel fuel tax payment obligations and to provide penalty relief to the extent permitted by law.\u201d <\/p>\n
It does not waive the federal taxes, because only Congress can eliminate a tax.<\/p>\n
Following Trump\u2019s directive, the Energy Marketers of America warned gas stations to \u201cproceed with caution.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether relief is available, whom it covers, and on what conditions depend on Treasury determinations and guidance not yet issued,\u201d the group said. \u201cDeferral is not forgiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moreover, the order does not \u201cresolve EPA or state restrictions\u201d on the dyed variety of diesel fuel, the EMA said. <\/p>\n
Other trucking and gas industry groups sounded a similar note of caution.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe White House appears to be trying to encourage the supply chain to move toward selling dyed fuel in non-traditional ways,\u201d the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America and the National Association of Truck Stop Owners said in a note to their members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not expect most reputable diesel retailers and fuel marketers to do this,\u201d they said. \u201cFirst, the tax is still owed, so there\u2019s limited upside.\u201d <\/p>\n
In addition, \u201cthe logistical challenges outweigh any visible upside: Residual dye lingers in tanks and fuel systems.\u201d<\/p>\n
For most fuel sellers, \u201cthe liability and customer risk outweigh any temporary, uncertain benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment. <\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/261006-tractor-fuel-vl-125p-75b747.jpg\")
Despite an executive order promoting red dye diesel, trucking and fuel industry groups are warning their members it may not be worth the risk.Clayton Steward \/ Bloomberg via Getty<\/p>\n
A group representing independent long-haul truckers also suggested Trump\u2019s move would provide little benefit to its members.<\/p>\n
\u201cAllowing the wider use of red-dyed diesel will provide minimal relief. Market stability is essential to bring down costs for the long haul,\u201d said Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.<\/p>\n
Since the war with Iran began, the price of diesel has surged from $3.76 per gallon to $6.32 as of Tuesday, a nearly 70% increase.<\/p>\n
The Iran conflict is not the only conflict contributing to diesel\u2019s skyrocketing price. <\/p>\n
A recent escalation of the Ukraine-Russia war has included strikes by Ukrainian drones on Russian refineries. <\/p>\n
Russia, traditionally one of the world\u2019s large diesel exporters, has responded to the attacks by imposing a diesel export ban through at least the end of October.<\/p>\n
Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russia\u2019s diesel infrastructure<\/a>.<\/p>\n