Donald Trump calls for higher ethanol mandate at Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.

Donald Trump said Tuesday that federal regulators should increase the amount of ethanol blended into the nation’s gasoline supply. Speaking at an event hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Trump, a real estate mogul and the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ought to follow the ethanol volumes Congress set in 2007. “The EPA should ensure that biofuel … blend levels match the statutory level set by Congress under the [renewable fuel standard],” Trump said. In setting the ethanol blending mandate for 2016 last year, the EPA used a provision in the law that allows it to waive the specific volumes Congress set out, citing lower than expected gasoline demand, among other factors. Trump spoke very briefly about the ethanol mandate at the beginning of his speech, reading from notes in a straightforward fashion, before continuing with other subjects the more lively demeanor he usually shows in stump speeches. The event came hours after Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) told voters in the first state to choose presidential candidates that they shouldn’t vote for Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), one of Trump’s most potent challengers. Branstad cited Cruz’s opposition to continuing the ethanol mandate after 2022, saying Cruz is “heavily financed by Big Oil.” Trump welcomed Branstad’s comment. Cruz has “been mixed in the subject, he goes wherever the votes are, so he all of the sudden went over here, and then all of the sudden, he got slapped,” Trump said. “So it’s very interesting to see.” Trump was generally very supportive of the ethanol law, saying he is “100 percent” behind the ethanol industry, a powerful force in Iowa. “As president, I will encourage Congress to be cautious in attempting to charge and change any part of the RFS.,” he said. Trump tied ethanol to his campaign slogan “Make America Great Again,” saying ethanol reduces dependence on imported oil, which helps energy independence. “Energy independence is a requirement if America is to become great again. My theme is ‘Make America Great Again.’ It’s an important part of it,” he said.Donald Trump spoke at the 10th annual Iowa Renewable Fuel Summit in Altoona, Iowa. Donald Trump pounced after Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) said he hoped Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) does not win the Iowa caucus. Wow, the highly respected governor of Iowa just stated that, 'Ted Cruz must be defeated. 'Big shocker!" Trump exclaimed Tuesday on Twitter. "People do not like Ted," the real-estate mogul added of Cruz, currently his top presidential rival. According to The Des Moines Register, Branstad said it would be "a mistake" for his state to back Cruz because of the Texas senator's opposition to ethanol subsidies. The subsidies help fund Iowa's corn industry. "Ted Cruz is ahead right now. What we're trying to do is educate the people in the state of Iowa. He is the biggest opponent of renewable fuels," Branstad said. The governor continued: "He actually introduced a bill in 2013 to immediately eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard. He's heavily financed by Big Oil. So we think once Iowans realize that fact, they might find other things attractive but he could be very damaging to our state." Branstad reportedly said "yes" when asked if he wanted to see Cruz be defeated in the 2016 presidential race. The most recent polls have Cruz roughly tied with Trump in the February 1 Iowa caucus. The Hawkeye State's voters are the first to weigh in on the Republican primary. Trump, who has declared his support for ethanol subsidies, often criticizes Cruz on the issue when speaking in Iowa. Trump spoke Tuesday at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, where he began his address by touting Branstad's comments about Cruz. "It's so much fun. And so interesting. I know the governor just made a very big statement that was appreciated by many. And that was amazing, actually. And he's a respected man and when he speaks, people listen. ... His feelings about one of the other candidates, that's strong feelings," Trump said. Cruz has stressed that he would like to phase out the subsidies over a number of years.