Marco Rubio says the Trump administration will use a 60-day review to assess the economic and global market implications of Russia-related sanctions and tariffs amid energy supply disruptions.
US President Donald Trump will take up to 60 days to assess the economic impact of sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia after temporarily suspending key measures intended to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said.
The decision comes as rising energy prices and disruptions to global oil supplies linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran add pressure on fuel markets. The Trump administration is weighing the economic consequences of restricting Russian energy trade against the need to contain fuel costs.
Trump signed an executive order on Friday temporarily waiving key sanctions and tariffs associated with the Graham Act, legislation designed to increase economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The measures were scheduled to take effect next week and included tariffs on Russian goods and penalties on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said he had not made a final decision on the issue. Rubio said the president wanted to use the 60-day period to evaluate the potential effects of the proposed restrictions on the US economy and international markets. He made the remarks before departing for Uzbekistan.
The proposed measures could also affect countries that maintain significant energy ties with Russia. Under the legislation, tariffs could be imposed on goods from countries importing Russian energy supplies, potentially complicating Washington’s economic and diplomatic relations with key partners.
India is among the countries that could face consequences because of its continued purchases of Russian oil, despite efforts to diversify its energy sources. The issue presents a challenge for the administration as it seeks to maintain economic pressure on Moscow while managing relationships with countries that depend on Russian energy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has criticized the temporary waiver, warning that easing economic pressure could strengthen Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position and prolong the war in Ukraine.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who championed the legislation, also expressed disagreement with Trump’s decision, according to the supplied report. Graham said she intended to discuss the matter with the president during his upcoming campaign visit and indicated that she favored maintaining pressure on Moscow because she did not trust the Russian leadership.
Meanwhile, Rubio defended a separate arrangement involving Russian diesel supplies intended to increase fuel availability and ease prices amid international energy market disruptions.
Trump said Russia would initially supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to the United States, with additional shipments expected in November and subsequent months. Rubio argued that the fuel would reach international markets regardless of Washington’s decision, adding that the arrangement would help determine how much of the supply could be directed to the United States.
The administration’s approach highlights the challenge of managing the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East simultaneously, as both conflicts affect energy supplies and contribute to pressure on fuel prices.
With the November midterm elections approaching, energy costs remain an important domestic issue for Trump. The 60-day review will give the administration time to assess the economic and diplomatic consequences before determining its next steps on Russia-related sanctions and tariffs.
About The Author
