Trump Waives Parts of New Russia Sanctions Law
The left and right split on whether Trump's waiver guts the Russia sanctions law or limits its trade costs.
The Facts
- President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving parts of the new Russia sanctions law.Reuters
- Trump said the waiver was in the national interests of the United States.Reuters
- Congress passed the sanctions law with bipartisan support, and Trump signed it last month.The Guardian
How left and right read it
Left’s best case
- Congress passed this law and the president signed it; setting it aside weeks later wastes that work.
- Saying something serves the national interest is a conclusion, not a reason anyone can check.
- Pressure on an invading army only works if the penalties actually get used.
Right’s best case
- Tariffs on China and India for buying Russian oil would raise costs far beyond Moscow.
- Judging when economic pressure helps or hurts is exactly the call a president is elected to make.
- The pause can be lifted whenever officials decide tougher action is worth the price.
The law hands the president a pause button for the very tariffs it creates. The fight is over whether he's using it or burying it.