Trump's "Suspension of Russia Sanctions" Sparks Growing Republican Backlash: "Only Putin Benefits"

Trump's "pause on tariffs targeting Russian oil buyers" draws
opposition within the Republican Party as well
Bloomberg: "More than 10 Republican senators oppose"

Opposition is growing within the ruling Republican Party after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would suspend the imposition of steep tariffs on major importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. Even some of Trump's close allies have come out publicly against the move.

According to Bloomberg on October 18 (local time), House Speaker Mike Johnson said during an appearance on Fox News that he had told White House officials they needed to discuss the issue and carefully consider the unintended consequences it could have.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on the 17th (local time). Palm Beach, Florida (U.S.) = AP-Yonhap News.

He also called Russian President Vladimir Putin “untrustworthy.” Bloomberg described it as unusual for Speaker Johnson, a staunch Trump supporter, to voice disagreement.

The controversy began on October 16, when Trump announced that he was exercising his authority to grant exemptions from the restrictions and tariffs under the “Lindsey Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act,” known as the Graham Act. The law, spearheaded by the late former Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's closest allies, would impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods entering the United States from the top five importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas.

The law, which passed Congress on a bipartisan basis after Graham's death, was signed by Trump on September 18 and was awaiting implementation. But after Trump reached an agreement with Russia on diesel fuel shipments to lower fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, he also suspended the sanctions, drawing mounting criticism from within the Republican Party.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a close Trump ally, appeared on Fox News on October 18 and said, “I wish the president had not done that. I think it was a mistake.” He added, “The current course unfortunately benefits only President Putin.” Cruz argued that the administration should have explored other options to lower fuel prices, such as increasing energy imports from Canada or waiving requirements related to renewable fuels.

Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) also appeared on Fox News on October 18 and called easing sanctions on Russia “a bad idea.” He acknowledged, however, that Trump was trying to lower fuel prices, adding, “That is the tension.”

Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) also criticized the decision on social media on October 18, calling it “beyond irresponsible.” He added, “What on earth do the president and his advisers not understand about enforcing a law that passed the Senate by a vote of 86 to 11?”

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) also referred to Graham, who spearheaded the bill, saying, “Lindsey would probably have been horrified.”

Senator Darlene Graham, the late senator's sister, also voiced support for maintaining the sanctions. She told reporters, “Personally, I would keep up the pressure on Russia to end the war and lower gasoline prices,” adding, “because I don't trust President Putin, and I don't trust Russia.”

Bloomberg reported that at least 10 Republican senators and some House members had voiced opposition to the Russian diesel deal or the suspension of sanctions.

Members of the administration, however, are defending Trump's move. They say it is intended to get Russia to release large quantities of diesel into the U.S. and global markets. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on October 17 at Joint Base Andrews, “That [Russian] diesel fuel was going to be sold one way or another.”

Energy Secretary Chris Wright also said on ABC on October 18 that the exemption was “not an economic lifeline” for Russia, but rather “a carrot being offered to end the war.”

“This is an incentive for Russia,” he said. “If Russia de-escalates its conflict with Ukraine or secures an energy ceasefire, and reduces the conflict enough to export diesel, we will allow that diesel to be supplied to the global market.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.