Donald Trump has announced plans to suspend the United States federal gasoline tax as Americans grapple with rising fuel prices following the escalating conflict involving Iran.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said the proposed suspension would remain in place “till it’s appropriate,” describing the measure as a way to ease pressure on consumers facing higher energy costs.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, federal taxes on gasoline currently stand at 18.4 cents per gallon, while diesel attracts a federal tax of 24.4 cents per gallon.
The proposed suspension would require approval from the US Congress, where Trump’s Republican Party holds narrow majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Trump ally Josh Hawley said he would introduce legislation supporting the move, while Republican lawmaker Anna Paulina Luna also pledged to present a similar bill in the House this week.
Fuel prices in the United States have risen sharply since the conflict with Iran intensified, with both gasoline and diesel prices reportedly increasing by about 50 per cent since late February.
The spike follows retaliatory actions by Iran, including the near closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies pass.
According to the AAA motor club, the average price of regular gasoline in the United States reached $4.52 per gallon on Monday, while diesel climbed to $5.64 per gallon.
Analysts say suspending the federal fuel tax could lower pump prices by approximately four per cent, although state-level fuel taxes would remain unchanged.
Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that average state taxes amount to 32.61 cents per gallon for gasoline and 34.76 cents per gallon for diesel.
