Trump invokes Cold War-era Defense Production Act to pump $150m into US refineries as fuel prices bite before the midterms

President Donald Trump announced the funding at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, where he was campaigning for Zach Lahn and Rep. Ashley Hinson in competitive contests. The money is drawn from $1bn Congress had already allocated, though no breakdown of how it will be distributed was provided. Fuel has topped $4 a gallon for a record-breaking 169 consecutive days, a stretch coinciding with the Iran war. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows his approval at a record low of 31 per cent.

Trump pledged refining at 'record levels, actually' with less than two weeks until polling day.

Earlier this week in Kansas he unveiled an $8bn Harvest Fuel Relief Program for farmers.

His agreement to import Russian diesel provoked criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.