President Donald Trump told a crowd in Iowa Tuesday that he supports the Congressional leadership approach to get nationwide, year-round E15 passed into law.

“I promised to support E15 all year round… I am trusting speaker Mike Johnson and Leader John Thune to find a deal that works for farmers, consumers, and refiners, including small and mid-sized refiners, to get E15 approved and they’re working on it and they’re very close to getting it done,” said Trump, during remarks in Clive, Iowa. He noted that he wanted to “be there in person” to tell that to the people of Iowa.

“And China will be sending me a bill shortly supporting year-round E15…and I will sign it, without delay,” said President Trump, presumably meaning Congress, not China, adding, “I hope you remember us for the mid-terms.”

Earlier in his address, Trump teased the crowd, “Do you like ethanol? Is it big?…Do you want me to do something with ethanol?” He was interrupted by hecklers and the crowd chanting “USA, USA” at least twice, prompting him to call them “paid agitators.” The live feed for the video also apparently bleeped out for several seconds, just as Trump said, “We love our farmers.”

Trump also touted some of the trade deals he has made that benefit ethanol producers. “So Japan will now allow the United States to supply up to 100% of automobile ethanol, automotive ethanol, and import Large amounts of aviation biofuels from the United States,” said President Trump. “The United Kingdom will import nearly $1 billion of ethanol. That’s part of their deal.”

Listen to the first half of the president’s remarks here (E15 comments at 23:00)
President Trump in Iowa 26:03