Republican president declares US Senate freezing 500 percent Russia tariff bill
(MENAFN) The US Senate has decided to pause a bill introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham that would impose 500% secondary tariffs on nations trading with Russia, Senate Republican leader John Thune announced. Graham had promoted the legislation as a powerful tool for President Donald Trump to pressure Moscow into ending the Ukraine conflict.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Thune explained that the bill’s progress was being put on hold after Trump indicated he might take similar action unilaterally. The bipartisan measure, co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, targets countries that continue to import Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other goods.
“It looks like the president is planning to do this on his own for now,” Thune said, according to Politico. “If the president later decides this legislation could strengthen his hand in negotiations, we’ll be ready to advance it.”
Trump stated on Monday that he is “very unhappy” with Russia and threatened tariffs of up to 100% on nations maintaining trade with Moscow unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days. He made these remarks during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House.
Trump also said the US will provide arms to Ukraine through NATO, which will manage both financing and delivery.
Thune suggested Trump’s current strategy might make the Senate bill unnecessary but emphasized that Congress would remain in coordination with the White House and House of Representatives, keeping the legislation on standby.
When asked if the bill would be addressed before the summer recess, Senate Majority Leader Steve Scalise replied, “Not right now.”
Earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov dismissed the potential impact of such tariffs, saying they would not influence Moscow’s policies. He asserted that Russia would continue on its “independent, sovereign, and sustained path.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that Western sanctions are inflicting more harm on those imposing them than on Russia itself. “The more sanctions they impose, the more damage they cause to themselves,” Putin remarked last month.
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