Lawmakers demanded revocation of the US Treasury license for Russian diesel imports
A bipartisan group of 22 US lawmakers led by Michael McCaul and Jim Costa sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging full implementation of the sanctions law targeting Russia and Iran. The representatives emphasized that mandatory penalties and secondary tariffs must be enacted ahead of the first deadline on October 18. This was reported by Office of Congressman Michael McCaul, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
In their letter to the White House, members of the House of Representatives stressed that enforcing the statutory economic measures is critical to forcing the Kremlin to approach peace talks seriously. While thanking the president for signing the legislation, the lawmakers urged his administration to utilize the full scope of economic leverage without delay.
The lawmakers also expressed grave concern regarding the US Department of the Treasury’s October 9 issuance of General License 135, which authorizes transactions involving Russian-origin diesel, including imports into the United States. They called for the immediate revocation of the license and an end to measures that restore revenue to Moscow’s war effort.
Secondary Tariffs on Importers of Russian Energy
The letter placed particular focus on the structured rollout of secondary tariffs targeting imports of Russian energy. The representatives noted that China and India remain the largest purchasers of Russian crude oil, arguing that tariff measures should directly impact the countries and intermediaries financing the invasion.
At the same time, the members emphasized the importance of preserving allied unity, noting that European partners have pledged to phase out Russian oil and gas imports by the end of 2027. The legislation allows for tariff adjustments and exemptions for partners that actively reduce their purchases of Russian energy supplies.
Targeting Shadow Fleet Operators and Intermediaries
Mandatory sanctions targets outlined in the appeal include Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, and state enterprises, alongside foreign financial institutions, shadow fleet operators, and intermediaries facilitating sanctions evasion. The recent enforcement action against the illicit A7 network assisting Russia and Iran was welcomed as a vital initial step.
Lawmakers cautioned the administration against broad or open-ended waivers, insisting that any temporary relief must be strictly conditional on demonstrable reductions in Russian energy purchases. The members formally requested detailed briefings and justifications for congressional committees following the October 18 implementation milestone.
Illustrative photo: The White House / Public domain
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