President Donald Trump is actively campaigning in agricultural and energy regions as he seeks to rally Republican support ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. His approval ratings have plummeted to the lowest levels of his political career, adding pressure to the Republican strategy for the upcoming elections.
Trump in Nebraska, Vance in Alaska...
According to CNN, Trump visited Grand Island, Nebraska, on October 5, where he highlighted Republican achievements in tax cuts, enhancing farm and ranch competitiveness, and private sector investment while supporting Republican Senate candidate Pete Ricketts.
This visit is part of a 32-day national campaign tour that Trump began on October 1, which includes stops in Republican strongholds such as Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Ohio to consolidate his base.
Trump is particularly focused on addressing the economic burdens faced by farmers. During his Nebraska campaign stop, he signed an executive order to ease restrictions on the use of 'red diesel.'
Red diesel is chemically identical to regular diesel but is either tax-exempt or taxed at a lower rate. It is dyed red to distinguish it from regular diesel. Currently, its use is limited to non-road equipment such as farm machinery and construction vehicles.
With the new executive order, Trump removed the 'non-road' requirement, temporarily allowing the use of red diesel on highways until the end of the year and deferring federal excise tax payments on it.
“Anyone will be able to purchase red diesel tax-free for any reason,” Trump stated, adding that this measure would also lower costs for all goods, including groceries.
This action comes in response to soaring diesel prices, which have increased significantly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, placing additional financial strain on truck drivers and farmers. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average retail price of diesel in the U.S. was $6.32 per gallon as of October 5, marking a 77% increase this year alone. John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, expressed that local farmers are experiencing the most severe financial distress since the agricultural crisis of the 1980s.
On the same day, Vice President JD Vance traveled to Alaska to support Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who is seeking re-election. Alaska has been a Republican stronghold for decades, but Sullivan is currently in a tight race against Democrat Mary Peltola.
Coinciding with Vance's visit, the U.S. Department of Energy announced plans to allocate $150 million in federal funds for building Alaska's power grid. The project, which involves constructing a 223-mile transmission line connecting the southern coast and interior regions of Alaska, is expected to cost $400 million and will provide power to approximately 75% of the state's population upon completion.
Approval Ratings at Record Low... Voter Discontent Over Cost of Living
This announcement is part of a series of economic and investment measures being rolled out by President Trump and his administration ahead of the midterm elections. The Trump administration is eager to highlight achievements in agriculture and energy infrastructure as voters face rising living costs due to the war in Ukraine and high gasoline prices.
At the end of last month, Trump stated that South Korea's investment in the U.S. could reach approximately $200 billion, unilaterally including the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline project as a target for investment. In response, the South Korean government clarified that this investment has not yet been agreed upon and further discussions are necessary. Vance also noted that there are still details to coordinate with South Korea regarding the Alaska LNG development project.
Despite the Trump administration's emphasis on economic achievements, the president's approval ratings continue to decline. A survey conducted by Reuters and Ipsos from September 30 to October 5 found that Trump's approval rating stood at 32%, matching the lowest level of his political career, according to Reuters.
Moreover, voters' perceptions of the economic situation have not improved. A recent poll by CBS and YouGov revealed that 70% of respondents believe the Trump administration's policies have driven up grocery prices. CBS analyzed that inflation and living costs have emerged as key factors influencing economic judgments in the midterm elections.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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