Trying to curb soaring fuel costs, Trump finds his hands mostly tied

What happened: President Donald Trump announced a diesel-supply deal with Russia and signed an executive order letting trucks use a tax-exempt diesel fuel, seeking to lower fuel prices ahead of next month's midterm elections. Key numbers: Inflation ran at 3.7% in September, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Why it matters: Lawmakers from both parties criticized the Russia deal as undercutting sanctions tied to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Analysts say the diesel volume is too modest to move prices, and any new supply would likely arrive after the midterms.

President Donald Trump announced a diesel-supply deal with Russia and signed an executive order letting trucks use a tax-exempt diesel fuel, seeking to lower fuel prices ahead of next month's midterm elections.

Lawmakers from both parties criticized the Russia deal as undercutting sanctions tied to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Analysts say the diesel volume is too modest to move prices, and any new supply would likely arrive after the midterms.