Trump Calls Law Banning Russian Fuel Imports "Pretty Bad"
US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that the law banning imports of Russian fuel into the United States is "pretty bad". He said he would look into the matter.
US President Donald Trump has said that the law prohibiting imports of Russian fuel into the United States is "pretty bad". He made the remark while speaking to reporters at the White House, in comments broadcast live by the White House. The issue is topical because Trump has already signalled openness to Russian diesel supplies reaching American and global markets, a move that drew widespread criticism.
How the exchange went
One of the journalists asked the president about a tanker carrying Russian diesel that is heading for the United States. The reporter also reminded him of the ban on imports of Russian petroleum products introduced in 2022.
Trump first asked whether the reporter meant the Jones Act. The journalist clarified that he was referring to a different piece of legislation, passed by Congress and signed by then-President Joe Biden. After hearing this, Trump gave the document a negative assessment.
"Ah, Biden? How do you even import... Well, then it's probably a pretty bad law. I'll look into it. Of course," he said.
Background
On 9 October, Trump said he had spoken with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and reached an agreement on supplying Russian diesel to the American and global markets. The step drew sharp criticism from Ukraine, European allies and within the United States. Trump's call for a new president of Ukraine to replace Volodymyr Zelensky also provoked criticism.
The source does not say whether Trump plans any specific steps to repeal or amend the law. He only promised to examine the issue.
