U.S. president Donald Trump has issued an executive order delaying the implementation of certain sanctions and tariffs planned against Russia and countries purchasing its energy, describing the decision as being in the national interest of the United States.
Reuters reported on Saturday, October 17, that the order was issued on Friday and provides exemptions from legal restrictions intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.
Under the legislation in question, Washington could impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from five major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The restrictions also covered countries involved in circumventing sanctions against Russia.
In the executive order, Trump stated that the exemptions would remain in effect until he or senior administration officials determined that further action was necessary.
The decision comes amid rising oil and fuel prices, which have raised concerns about the economic burden on American households and businesses. Analysts have warned that imposing broad tariffs on buyers of Russian energy could put additional pressure on global oil markets and increase costs for American consumers.
China and India, two of the largest buyers of Russian oil, had previously expressed concerns about the potential consequences of these restrictions. Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, a special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, described the suspension of the measures as a significant decision.
However, the suspension of the new restrictions does not mean that existing U.S. sanctions against Russia have been lifted. The Trump administration retains the authority to review the exemptions and introduce additional measures.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
