Donald Trump is facing growing pressure, even from within his own party, to take action to support U.S. farmers as frustration mounts over how his administration has handled the agricultural sector. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a key Trump ally, has called for an embargo on diesel exports to help farmers and truckers deal with rising fuel prices. In multiple social media posts, Grassley suggested a 1970s-style embargo on diesel and agricultural products, arguing that if the government can restrict exports of chips to China, it can do the same with diesel to aid American farmers. "We need our family farmers who feed and fuel the world to be on the strongest footing possible no matter what’s happening across the globe," Grassley said. Farmers, who have traditionally been a reliable Republican voting bloc, have been increasingly upset with the Trump administration. They argue that policies such as tariffs have increased the cost of essential inputs like fertilizer, machinery parts, and seeds. Additionally, the administration’s decision to allow more beef imports from abroad has hurt domestic producers by lowering prices for consumers but increasing competition for U.S. ranchers. Meanwhile, the Iran war has driven up the cost of operating machinery and transporting goods. As of Sunday, the national average cost of diesel was $6.51, with prices in Iowa slightly lower at $6.31—still nearly $3 higher than a year ago. Rising costs are not limited to fuel. Grocery prices have also climbed, and the Trump administration has attempted to lower some costs, particularly for beef, by allowing 300,000 metric tons of overseas beef trimmings into the U.S. with reduced tariffs. However, domestic farmers, who are already dealing with smaller herds, argue that this move will increase competition and make it harder for them to sell their own products. William Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, suggested that some rural voters might be reconsidering their support for Trump due to policies that have negatively impacted them. Ryan Marquardt, vice-president of the Iowa Farmers Union, said he had "never seen farmers more pissed" over the increased imports of foreign beef. Republican politicians, including Grassley, are concerned about the growing discontent among farmers and rural voters, especially as the November midterms approach. Some politicians closely aligned with farmers have publicly distanced themselves from Trump, while others have sought to adjust his policies. Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who has historically supported Trump, recently changed her campaign strategy to highlight her bipartisan efforts and has spoken out against Trump’s tariffs that have affected farmers. When asked if voting for her would be a vote for Trump, Hinson replied, "I vote for me is a vote for common-sense policies, and no matter who is in the White House. That’s what I’m going to focus on." Grassley’s proposal for a diesel embargo, similar to the Trump administration’s restrictions on semiconductor chips, has not gained support from the White House. Energy Secretary Doug Burgum and Jarrod Agen, executive director of the National Energy Dominance Council, dismissed the idea of banning diesel, gasoline, or crude oil exports at a G20 meeting in Houston. "We would consider an export ban if we thought that actually might lower prices, but that’s not the case," Burgum said, indicating that such a move would not be pursued.