Trump calls law banning Russian fuel imports to US 'pretty bad' after tanker question

In brief

• Trump called a Biden-era law banning Russian fuel imports to the US "pretty bad" and said he would examine it.
• The comment came after a reporter asked about a tanker carrying Russian diesel bound for the US.
• The remarks follow Trump's October 9 claim of an understanding with Putin on Russian diesel supplies, which drew criticism and questions from senators of both parties.

Trump's remarks at the White House

US President Donald Trump described as "pretty bad" a law that prohibits imports of Russian fuel into the United States. He made the comment to reporters at the White House. (Трамп розкритикував заборону на імпорт палива з РФ: що відповів на запитання про танкер – TSN) (Трамп назвав "досить поганим" закон про заборону імпорту палива з РФ – Українська правда)

A journalist asked Trump about a tanker carrying Russian diesel that was heading for the US, and reminded him that Washington had imposed a ban on Russian oil products in 2022. Trump first asked whether the reporter meant the Jones Act. When the reporter explained that he meant a different measure, passed by Congress and signed by Joe Biden, Trump criticized it.

Trump said that if the law was the one signed by Biden, it was probably a poor law, and that he would examine the question.

Background: the diesel arrangement with Moscow

The remarks come after Trump said on October 9 that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reached an understanding on supplies of Russian diesel to US and world markets. The move drew sharp criticism in Ukraine, among European allies and inside the US. In Washington, a group of senators from both parties questioned whether the arrangement was lawful, pointing to the 2022 ban on Russian oil imports.