New sanctions mark the start of a trade war, says Russia
"I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress." Donald Trump
UNITED STATES: US President Donald Trump has reluctantly signed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, with Moscow saying the move ends hopes for better relations between the two countries.
Trump called the measure ‘‘seriously flawed’’ and attacked Congress for forcing his hand yesterday.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the new sanctions were tantamount to a ‘‘full-scale trade war’’.
He said the move showed that the Trump administration was utterly powerless. ‘‘The hope that our relations with the new American administration would improve is finished.’’ Trump had privately opposed the move, and approved the bill behind closed doors, unlike other bill signings for which he invited television cameras into the White House.
He then issued a scathing statement which exacerbated the divisions between himself and members of his own Republican Party in Congress, saying he had only consented to the new law ‘‘for the sake of national unity’’.
Trump had wanted the power to alter sanctions, to give him room for diplomatic manoeuvre with Russia, with whom he has repeatedly suggested friendlier relations. But the bill, which was passed overwhelmingly by the Republican-controlled Congress last week, prevents him from doing so without congressional approval. Some Republicans were concerned that if Trump was allowed to dictate the future of sanctions, he could reduce them without gaining enough in return from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Trump accused Congress of acting ‘‘unconstitutionally’’ and ‘‘encroaching on the executive branch’s authority’’.
‘‘The framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the president. This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice.
‘‘I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.’’
Russia’s foreign ministry said that new sanctions amounted to ‘‘dangerous’’ and ‘‘short-sighted’’ policy and ‘‘hostile action’’ for which it reserved the right to respond.
The sanctions are aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the 2016 US presidential election, in what intelligence agencies have concluded was an attempt to help Trump win. They also penalise Russia for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria.
Russia’s energy sector is targeted, with new limits on US investment in Russian companies and energy exploration projects.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Europe would take countermeasures if the US sanctions harmed its companies involved in oil and gas projects with Russia.
Meanwhile, during a visit to Montenegro, the newest Nato member, US Vice-President Mike Pence lambasted Russia for trying to ‘‘destabilise’’ the Western Balkans. - Telegraph Group