Russian diesel: Trump's deal with Putin meets bipartisan resistance in Congress
Democrats and Republicans criticise Trump's agreement on Russian diesel imports. Critics see a breach of the 2022 import ban, while Trump defends the move by pointing to high fuel prices.
Archive image · Photo: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
US President Donald Trump announced last week an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply large volumes of Russian diesel. According to Newsweek, he wrote on Truth Social that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons. The Treasury Department issued a temporary licence for diesel of Russian origin. The administration justifies the move with high prices ahead of the midterm elections; AAA puts the national average at $6.28 per gallon of diesel.
According to AP, frustration is growing in Congress across both parties. A bipartisan group of senators, including Republicans Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, urged Trump to reverse course, saying the US should not give Putin a "financial lifeline". Democrat Lloyd Doggett, the chief sponsor of the 2022 import ban, accuses Trump of directly violating the law. Republican Brian Fitzpatrick plans legislation to block purchases of Russian oil, Newsweek reports.
Trump defended the deal, saying he likes anything that could help farmers and ranchers and that critics in his own party "can't really be serious". Republicans such as House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Senator John Barrasso back him. Energy experts quoted by AP doubt the deliveries will noticeably lower US prices, which rose mainly because of the Iran war. It is also unclear whether new Russia sanctions will take effect as planned on 18 October.