New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has announced exemptions from planned sanctions and tariffs targeting countries that maintain trade ties with Russia. The move could provide relief to India and China, both of which have continued purchasing Russian oil amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The announcement came just a day before the sanctions were due to take effect.
Under the law signed by Trump last month, the US president said exemptions from the new sanctions and tariffs could be granted in the national interest of the United States. Trump also issued an executive order temporarily waiving the implementation of sanctions, restrictions and tariffs under the Lindsey Graham Act.
Trump had previously criticised countries buying Russian oil and urged India to stop its purchases. However, India maintained that it would take necessary steps to protect its economic interests and meet the energy needs of its people.
Meanwhile, reports of the United States moving to purchase large quantities of diesel from Russia had sparked considerable debate. The development drew criticism over what opponents described as a double standard in Washington’s approach to Russian energy trade. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also criticised Trump’s move. He argued that providing financial support to Russia was equivalent to funding its war effort.
