US is postponing the imposition of hellish sanctions against Russia

The bill, sponsored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, would grant Trump the authority to impose 100 percent tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil and natural gas, as well as on five countries that help Russia circumvent energy sanctions. China, India, and Turkey are the largest buyers of Russian petroleum products, according to Bloomberg.

Some Ukrainian supporters in Washington are pushing for the bill's passage as a way to demonstrate US support for Kyiv. However, it is unclear whether Trump will actually exercise the powers the bill would grant him, particularly with regard to China.

Підписуйтеcь на наш Telegram-канал Lenta.UA - ЄДИНІ незалежні новини про події в Україні та світі

The overwhelming 86-11 vote in favor of the sanctions bill in the Senate reflected the desire of Graham's colleagues to honor his memory following his sudden death in July. The House of Representatives is more reserved about the idea.

On Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed doubts about whether the sanctions bill would be brought to a vote before the November 3 midterm elections. He said this was partly due to the fact that lawmakers plan to spend only a few working days in Washington over the next two months.

Johnson noted that leading Democrats on the Foreign Affairs and Taxation committees oppose the measure, reflecting broader difficulties in engaging with Democrats. He also added that there are pockets of concern among House Republicans.

"We all believe in the need for sanctions against Russia, but we need to find the right formula to pass the bill. We're trying to work through that and make sure we get a result that can pass a vote," he told reporters on Thursday. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast noted that the bill is being assessed, in particular, for its potential impact on gasoline prices. Mast, a Florida Republican, said that if the bill forces India and other buyers of Russian oil to turn to other countries' oil markets, it could lead to higher prices.

"That's one of those things that's being assessed right now," he said.

Gasoline prices have risen sharply amid the war with Iran and are widely seen as a threat to the Republican majority in Congress ahead of the November midterm elections. The bill would also extend long-standing sanctions against Iran.

Democrats, for their part, are concerned that Trump will use this bill as new legal justification for imposing sweeping tariffs, as his existing tariffs are currently being challenged in court.

Johnson will need broad Democratic support if he attempts to pass this bill through the House's expedited procedure, which requires a two-thirds vote.

The growing concern among both Democratic and Republican lawmakers is a victory for the retail industry and the influential business association, the American Chamber of Commerce, which had fueled fears that this measure would provide the Trump administration with new legal justification for imposing sweeping tariffs.

Photo: Channel 24.

Читайте также: How Iran and Russia Trade Nuclear and Drone Technology to Bypass Sanctions

Читайте также: Operation Economic rogue: US expands sanctions against Iran