Trump Calls Law Banning Russian Fuel Imports 'Pretty Bad' and Promises to Review It

At the White House, while speaking with reporters, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the country's current ban on the import of Russian fuel. The conversation was prompted by a reporter mentioning a tanker carrying Russian diesel fuel that was crossing the Atlantic Ocean at that moment and reportedly heading toward the American coast. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the White House press office.

Reminders of the 2022 Law

The journalist drew the president's attention to the fact that in 2022, the U.S. Congress passed a legislative act prohibiting the unloading of Russian fuel in the United States. The document was signed by then-President Joe Biden. Upon hearing the question, Trump initially clarified whether the reporter was referring to the so-called Jones Act, but the correspondent explained that he meant a different legislative act passed by Congress and signed by Biden.

'A Pretty Bad Law'

After the clarification, the American president gave a negative assessment of the document. "Oh, by Biden? How are you even importing... Well, then it's probably a pretty bad law. I'll look into this matter. For sure," Trump stated. Thus, the head of state promised to deal with the existing ban, without specifying whether his administration intends to review the law or take any other steps to amend or circumvent it.

Context: Diesel Deal and Midterm Elections

According to information underlying the material, Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin recently concluded a so-called diesel agreement, which partially lifts sanctions on Moscow and allows for the supply of limited volumes of fuel to the U.S. This move, according to the same source, was aimed at mitigating the rise in diesel prices before the elections, which had disgruntled American voters. However, Trump's party, as noted in the background, lost the U.S. midterm elections, and the move did not save the Republicans from failure.

The Deal Under Threat

Moreover, it was previously reported that Trump's diesel deal with Putin is under threat: tankers carrying fuel from Russia have reportedly changed their destination—instead of the U.S. coast, the navigation data now indicates other coordinates. Against this backdrop, the president's statement that he will "look into the matter" of the restrictive law looks like a potential signal for a review of the rules regarding Russian fuel imports.