Trump Tariff Fight Stalls 100% Russia Sanctions Bill
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 24
Trump Tariff Fight Stalls 100% Russia Sanctions Bill
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 24
Summary
Democratic resistance to giving President Trump discretion to impose tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian energy has become the main obstacle to a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.
The proposal would let — but not require — Trump to levy and later lift those tariffs, a flexibility Republicans say is needed to pressure Moscow and avoid a likely presidential veto.
Richard Neal and Ron Wyden said they could not back legislation that gives Trump a “blank check” on tariffs, arguing he is already bypassing Congress on trade powers.
Those concerns sharpened after the administration imposed new 10% to 12.5% tariffs on goods from dozens of trading partners just after midnight Friday, complicating hopes of moving quickly on a bill championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.