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BackTrump’s Russian diesel deal may be illegal, says prominent Republican senator
Trump’s Russian diesel deal may be illegal, says prominent Republican senator
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SCMP Economy46 minutes agoPolitics1 min readChina

Trump’s Russian diesel deal may be illegal, says prominent Republican senator

thom tillisdonald trumprussia

Quick Look

Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticized President Donald Trump's diesel supply agreement with Russia, stating it may be illegal and could put American lives at risk, adding to bipartisan concerns over the deal that temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian fuel to undermine Moscow's war revenue in Ukraine.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Trump administration temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel to allow Russia to supply diesel to global markets, a move intended to undermine Moscow's revenue for its war in Ukraine but criticized for potentially violating US law and endangering American lives.

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Republican US Senator Thom Tillis on Sunday said US President Donald Trump’s diesel supply deal with Russia may be illegal and will put American lives at risk, adding to bipartisan criticism of the arrangement announced by the president on Friday.

Trump said that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets, and his administration temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel that were designed to deprive Moscow of revenue for its war on Ukraine.

“I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law,” said Tillis, an influential Republican from North Carolina who is retiring from the Senate at the end of his term in January.

Prices for diesel – used for agriculture, heating homes and trucking – are near record highs and could hurt Trump’s fellow Republicans in next month’s congressional elections that will determine whether they maintain their thin majorities in Congress.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • Congressional hearings will be held to investigate the legality of the Trump administration's diesel deal with Russia

    Likely · Within weeks

  • Diesel prices will remain near record highs through the next congressional elections

    Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

  • What specific laws may be violated by the diesel deal?
  • How will the deal affect diesel prices in the US?
  • What is the legal basis for temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian fuel?
  • Are there alternative ways to pressure Russia without risking American lives?

Related Topics

thom tillis
PeopleThom TillisDonald Trump
OrganizationsUnited States SenateExecutive Office of the President
PlacesUnited StatesRussiaUkraineNorth Carolina
Topicsdonald trumprussiadieselsanctionsukraine warnorth carolina
This article was originally published by SCMP Economy.

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