Trump faces growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia
President Trump is facing bipartisan backlash for a deal to import Russian diesel, which critics argue undermines US sanctions and provides financial support to Russia during the war in Ukraine. The administration claims the move is necessary to lower energy costs for American workers.
Why it matters
The deal creates a significant geopolitical conflict between domestic economic policy and international sanctions strategy.
US President Donald Trump is facing a growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia as the Iran war continues to impact global energy prices.
Trump on Friday announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately "to the American and global marketplace" followed by several other shipments.
That is despite signing legislation to authorise fresh US sanctions and tariffs on nations that import Russian oil and gas just weeks ago.
The move has been criticised by some Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who believe the deal violates US laws.
As well as the initial release of 300,000 tonnes of diesel, Trump said Russia would then supply 500,000 tonnes in November and one million more after that.
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