USA: US President Trump suspends new Russia sanctions by decree

US President Trump signed the sanctions law against Russia in mid-September, and is now suspending it shortly before it comes into force. He justifies this with the national interest of the USA.

Washington. US President Donald Trump suspended sanctions and tariffs against Russia by decree a few days before they came into force. This is in the national interest of the USA, Trump explained in the order published by the White House on Friday (local time).

The measures are part of a law that Trump signed in mid-September. Among other things, it provides for punitive tariffs on Russian goods and penalties for the purchase of Russian oil and gas. The suspension should remain in effect until Trump or senior administration officials decide that further steps are appropriate. US law allows the president to suspend sanctions by informing Congress of his decision.

Analysts said the sanctions could have pushed oil prices further higher. US citizens are facing increased costs because of the war against Iran launched by the US and Israel. Against this background, Trump's Republicans are under pressure before the upcoming congressional elections in the USA.

In addition, major buyers of Russian oil such as China and India had expressed considerable concerns about the law. The leadership in Beijing declared that they reject an expansion of US law that violates international law. India warned the US that new tariffs could strain bilateral relations.

The sanctions law, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, actually plans to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on all imports from the five largest purchasing countries of Russian crude oil or gas within 30 days. This also applies to states that knowingly import Russian energy sources or help Russia circumvent sanctions.

The regulation was intended to increase pressure on Russia over the attack on Ukraine that began in 2022. However, Trump is seeking rapprochement with Russia and has repeatedly publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Among other things, he suggested that Ukraine elect a new leadership.

Democratic US Representative Don Beyer sharply criticized the decision. "Trump's recent capitulation to Putin once again betrays our Ukrainian partners and contradicts Congress's clear desire to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression," Beyer said in a statement.

Trump was also criticized for a recent diesel agreement with Russia, which was also criticized by some Republicans. Trump agreed to lift sanctions against Russian exports, while Russia in return supplied diesel to the world market in order to reduce fuel prices. Critics warned that this helped finance Russia's war against Ukraine.