US Senate pauses bill imposing secondary tariffs
(MENAFN) A legislative effort in the U.S. Senate to enforce steep secondary tariffs on nations trading with Russia has been put on hold, according to Republican Senate leader John Thune. The bill, introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham, suggested implementing a 500% tariff rate and was described by Graham as a tool that would give President Donald Trump a “sledgehammer” to pressure Russia into ending the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Thune explained the decision to delay the bill’s advancement, citing Trump’s apparent readiness to take unilateral action. The sanctions plan, which was co-drafted with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, seeks to target countries purchasing commodities such as Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other exports.
“It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own,” Thune said, as quoted by Politico. “If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then we’ll do it. We’ll be ready to go.”
During a meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump voiced his displeasure with Russia and warned of imposing tariffs as high as 100% on nations maintaining economic ties with Moscow. He emphasized that if a resolution to the Ukraine conflict is not achieved within 50 days, these penalties would go into effect.
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