Trump's Dealmaking Prowess Tested in Fight Between Oil, Farmers

  • Agriculture proponents, oil refiners testify in Michigan
  • Administration has proposed allowing more sales of ethanol
Photographer: Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg
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If Donald Trump’s administration was looking for signs of easing tensions between two of his vaunted constituencies -- blue-collar oil and rural farmers -- a hearing in Michigan proves otherwise.

The two sides exchanged heated comments Friday at a public hearing over proposed changes by the Environmental Protection Agency on ethanol policy. Oil refiners and agricultural proponents, including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, made pitches on how their groups stand to benefit -- or be harmed -- by the administration’s vow to allow higher sales of ethanol and planned reform for trading of biofuel credits.