AAA data show U.S. diesel averaged $6.0556/gal, the first time above $6, raising
energy-driven inf risk ahead of the diesel demand season; California prices are
near $8/gal. Diesel is a primary fuel for power generation, home heating,
agriculture and tractor‑trailers, so record retail diesel prices are likely to
feed through into food, transport and construction costs. With midterm elections
just over 50 days away, surging costs pose a political problem for Republicans
aligned with Trump.
