Trump eases Russia sanctions for diesel deal as analysts question price impact
publishers 32articles 35first reported 8 Oct, 17:51 UTCdeveloping since 9 Oct · 12 editions
President Donald Trump said Russia had agreed to supply diesel to the United States and global markets as his administration seeks to reduce record fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Trump said Russia would release more than 300,000 metric tons immediately, another 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons afterward. He said a further 3 million tons would follow depending on the condition of Russian refineries. The Treasury Department subsequently issued a temporary general license authorizing transactions involving the sale, delivery and importation of Russian diesel.
The move comes weeks after Trump signed legislation imposing new sanctions and tariffs intended to restrict Russian energy revenue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Democratic lawmakers criticized the sanctions relief, arguing that diesel sales would provide Moscow with funds while its war in Ukraine continues.
Analysts cited by CNBC, MarketWatch and The Hill questioned whether the proposed shipments would significantly lower prices. They noted uncertainty about when the fuel could be delivered and whether Russia has sufficient export capacity after Ukrainian attacks damaged its refineries. The initial 300,000-ton shipment would equal roughly half a day of U.S. diesel consumption, according to the BBC.
AAA reported that average U.S. diesel prices reached a record $6.5276 a gallon in late September. High fuel costs have particularly affected agriculture and transportation, and inflation has become a central issue before elections that will determine control of Congress.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 90 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 32
- Source articles
- 35
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 90 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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