Berlin Finds Possible US Sanctions “Contrary to International Law”

The Federal Ministry of Economics “took note” of the words of Secretary of State Pompeo that participants in Nord Stream 2 would fall under the CAATSA law on counteracting American adversaries. The German government criticized the new US threats to introduce additional restrictive measures against participants in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The corresponding statement was released on Thursday, July 16, by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Berlin rejects Washington’s extraterritorial sanctions because it considers them “contrary to international law.” “This is a clear position of the federal government,” the ministry said, emphasizing that the recent statement by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo was “taken note of.” Project participants will fall under CAATSA law The head of the US State Department on July 15 warned that participants in the Nord Stream 2 construction project would fall under the 2017CAATSA Act on Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions. “This is a clear warning to companies: get out now or risk the consequences,” Pompeo said. The Secretary of State specified that additional sanctions would affect not only Nord Stream 2, but also part of the Turkish Stream project. The United States in the past also tried to disrupt the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction through sanctions. Because of this, the construction of a new gas pipeline had to be suspended. Meanwhile, Russia has criticized Washington’s threat, calling it an example of political pressure and unfair competition.