If passed, the legislation would authorize the president to impose 500% tariffs on Moscow’s trading partners
US President Donald Trump has indicated his support for a bipartisan bill in Congress that would grant him the authority to implement significant sanctions against Russia’s trade partners.
Trump’s comments followed a statement by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who said the president had given his approval for legislation that would permit tariffs of up to 500% on nations purchasing Russian oil and gas. Graham, along with Democrat Richard Blumenthal, introduced the bill last year.
“I support it. I hope we don’t have to use it,” Trump stated in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, which aired on Thursday. He added, “You know, we have big sanctions on Russia right now. Russia’s economy is very bad, but they are much bigger than Ukraine.”
Over the past year, Trump has voiced his frustration over the lack of success in his efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, at times attributing blame to both countries. In November, he put forward a peace plan that was rejected by Ukraine and its European allies, who claimed it favored Russia, while accusing Moscow of delaying negotiations. Russia, in turn, accused Ukraine and the EU of making unreasonable demands and undermining the possibility of an agreement.
In October, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two of Russia’s major energy companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Earlier this week, the US Coast Guard intercepted a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, alleging it had evaded sanctions, a move that prompted Moscow to declare the operation unlawful under international maritime law.
Russia has consistently argued that Western sanctions are primarily intended to eliminate economic competition and hinder the development of certain nations, rather than to assist Ukraine. Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated, “Their aim is obvious: to cling to their diminishing domination and rob [other] countries of the right to make independent political decisions.”