A new bill against Russian energy resources (Sanctioning Russia Act) is being discussed in the US Congress. It grants the US president the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs of up to 100% on any products imported from the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas.
This bill is often referred to as “softened” or “compromised,” as its initial version proposed tariffs of up to 500%. However, in practice, once the tariff exceeds 50%, its exact percentage becomes less significant. Such a rate is effectively a prohibitive tariff, meaning that the product loses access to the US market, one of the largest consumer markets in the world, which is crucial for many Asian and European countries.
However, the issue is not just the tariff rates. The key point is that President Donald Trump will effectively gain the ability to make unilateral decisions regarding the initiation and cessation of trade wars without the need for Senate or House of Representatives approval.
In this context, Russia is viewed not only as a target for sanctions but also as a tool for exerting pressure on third countries. Such a mechanism could be used in favor of both American economic interests and the interests of specific businesses or circles close to power. Therefore, the bill seems contradictory for a country that presents itself as a “bulwark of democracy.”
Under the pretext of combating Russian oil revenues, the US is creating a mechanism for exerting pressure on third countries:
It is important to note that the passage of the bill does not automatically mean that sanctions will come into force. According to the article, under the guise of combating Russian oil revenues, the powers of the US president in the global economy are effectively being expanded.
If the bill is passed, the president will be able to decide by his signature which countries can continue to purchase Russian oil and gas while trading with the US, and which cannot.
