Trump Gas Price Comment Makes Americans Mad

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Americans may have to tolerate higher gas prices as the United States continues its military conflict with Iran, arguing that the increase is a relatively small cost compared with what he believes the operation has accomplished.

Trump made the remarks during a campaign appearance in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he was supporting Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.

Addressing the crowd, Trump acknowledged that fuel prices have climbed but said he expects the increase to be temporary. He predicted that prices will eventually reverse course sharply once the situation surrounding Iran improves.

His comments come as drivers across the country are confronting another round of higher prices at the pump.

According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline reached about $4.44 per gallon on September 17. AAA reported earlier in September that the national average had risen 13 cents in a single week, with the disruption surrounding the Strait of Hormuz contributing to higher crude oil prices.

Diesel prices have also moved substantially higher. The national average for diesel recently passed $6 per gallon for the first time, according to reporting based on GasBuddy data. Rising crude costs and disruptions to global fuel supplies have contributed to the increase.

A major factor behind the energy-market pressure is the continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for transporting oil. Restrictions on shipping through the area have added uncertainty to global energy markets and helped push crude prices higher.

Trump has maintained that fuel costs will eventually come back down as the conflict winds down. Earlier this week, he also said he hoped the war with Iran was approaching its final stages.

For now, however, motorists are still dealing with elevated prices. The increase is particularly significant for Americans who drive long distances for work, depend on trucks and other vehicles for their businesses, or face higher transportation costs as diesel becomes more expensive.

The jump in fuel prices is also becoming an important economic issue as the November midterm elections approach. Higher gasoline and diesel costs can affect more than what drivers pay at the pump, since transportation expenses can eventually feed into the cost of moving goods and other products.

Trump’s comments put the focus on the trade-off between the administration’s military objectives in Iran and the immediate financial pressure being felt by consumers. While the president says fuel prices should fall once the conflict subsides, the timing and size of any future decline remain uncertain.

For the moment, the price of filling up remains considerably higher than it was earlier in the summer, leaving drivers watching both developments in the Middle East and the numbers posted at their local gas stations.