US trade representative won’t commit to new Russian sanctions
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer declined to commit to imposing recently enacted Russian sanctions, saying officials would produce a report and “name names” within 30 days but that President Donald Trump would decide what action to take. The legislation, signed by Trump last month, gives the administration until Oct. 18 to decide whether to sanction countries by up to 100% over their use of Russian oil and gas. Greer said officials from the European Union and India raised the sanctions with him this week.
Why it matters: The development matters for sanctions, as the administration’s decision determines whether countries using Russian oil and gas face penalties under the new law.