American President Donald Trump made a statement that surprised even his supporters regarding the purchase of Russian oil and gas. He announced that the law providing for a 100% tariff for five leading buyers of Russian energy resources would not be applied under current global conditions.
This decision implies that corresponding duties will not be imposed on countries such as India, China, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. This move drew sharp criticism from several senators in the US.
After initial condemnation, Trump defended his decision, calling it a positive step. During a conversation with journalists at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Miami, he stated that many have not yet grasped the true meaning of his decree, but they will.
Trump emphasized that this decision is 'very good' and will benefit not only America but also the entire global community, as it is adopted on the global stage.
Earlier, on Friday, Trump signed an executive order that granted Russia an exception from new sanctions laws known as the 'Graham Act.' The US Congress passed this law last month, and this order lifted the 100% tariff on five major consumers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India.
According to the order, this exemption will remain in effect until a decision is made regarding the necessity of further action after due consultation with the President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the US Trade Representative.
Trump's decision was criticized by both Republicans and Democrats. Last month, legislators from both parties passed the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act' by a majority vote. South Carolina Senator, Republican Darling Graham, expressed doubt about Trump's actions. She noted that she would personally prefer to choose an option of pressuring Russia to end the war and lower gas prices, as she does not trust either the Russian president or Russia itself.
Donald Trump previously supported Darling Graham in the Senate election after her brother's death.
North Carolina Senator, Republican Thom Tillis, criticized the decision on social media, calling it extremely irresponsible. He questioned why the Trump administration failed to implement the law passed by the Senate by an overwhelming majority (86-11). Tillis stated that this is unforgivable because the Trump administration is yielding to the 'Russian dictator' (Putin), who started the war against Ukraine. He also suggested that to lower energy prices, the problem of the war with Iran should be addressed, which is considered one of the causes of fuel price increases.
Texas Senator, Republican John Cornyn, noted that 'Lindsey would be shocked' by this decision, recalling the work on the bill led by the late Senator Lindsey Graham before his death.
Massachusetts Democrat, Senator Elizabeth Warren, stated that Trump is ignoring the will of Congress and thereby contributing to the continuation of Putin's aggressive war. She called on her colleagues to take steps to overturn this decision.