Trump having big White House event around EPA's biofuels mandates decision

President Trump is hosting a major White House event next week featuring farmers and biofuels producers as the administration prepares to announce its decision on federal biofuels mandates. The event signals Trump's attention to a politically sensitive issue in agricultural states, where the renewable fuel standard has been a contentious touchstone between environmental policy and farm income support. The biofuels industry and farmers have been waiting for clarity on mandate levels, which directly affect demand for corn-based ethanol and biodiesel. The timing of the event before the formal announcement suggests the White House is preparing to shape the narrative around whatever decision it makes on the mandates. The renewable fuel standard has been a flashpoint for Trump during both his first and second administrations, with farmers' economic interests often at odds with oil industry pressure for reduced requirements.