In an unexpected and, perhaps, somewhat controversial move, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has decided to postpone the introduction of new sanctions and tariffs against Russia and its partners. This executive order, signed by the President, was published on the White House’s official website, which undoubtedly aroused enormous interest amongst the international community.
The bill, passed by the US Congress in September and named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, provided for the introduction of tough economic measures against Russia and Iran. The main focus of the bill was on a sharp increase in tariffs: 500 per cent on imports of goods from Russia and 100 per cent on goods from countries actively purchasing Russian oil and gas. The sanctions also applied to a number of Russian state and private entities, including those in the defence, energy and financial sectors.
Interestingly, the Act left Trump the option of avoiding the imposition of these measures if he could demonstrate that doing so was in the interests of national security. And Trump did not miss this loophole. He submitted a justification to Congress, stating that suspending the sanctions at this time was in the US’s national interest. This statement certainly caused a storm of reaction both at home and abroad.
It is worth noting that the decision to suspend the sanctions was taken against a backdrop of ongoing tensions in international relations and mounting economic conflicts. The whole world will now be watching to see how this decision affects future relations between the two countries.
The duration of the suspension of sanctions remains indefinite and will remain in force until the President or the Secretary of State decides otherwise. At the same time, all previously imposed sanctions against Russia remain in force, which makes the situation even more complex and tense.