Republican lawmakers are openly criticising Donald Trump for waiving new tariffs and sanctions on Russia, Bloomberg reported. The backlash comes from some of his strongest allies on Capitol Hill, in what the report describes as a widening rift inside the party.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had asked for consultations with the White House, describing Vladimir Putin as someone who “cannot be trusted”. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said “capitulating to a bully” would not work, while Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania called relief for Russia “a bad idea” but credited Trump with trying to bring down fuel prices.
Trump issued the waiver shortly after striking a deal with Moscow to import Russian diesel, a move aimed at lowering high fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections. His critics say the decision undercuts Congress, which overwhelmingly passed a sanctions law championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
The administration has defended its approach, saying it wants a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Source: Bloomberg via Moneyweb
