The US Congress Supported the Suspension of Regular Trade Relations with the Russian Federation

Bills on the suspension of regular trade relations with the Russian Federation and a ban on oil imports from Russia passed through the US Congress and were submitted to be signed by Biden. The House of Representatives of the US Congress – following the Senate (100 legislators – "in favor", 0 – "against") –on Thursday, April 7, overwhelmingly supported the suspension of regular trade relations with Russia (420 – "in favor", 3 – "against") and the ban on the import of its oil (413 – "in favor", 9 – "against"). Now the bills will be submitted for signature to American President Joe Biden. Earlier, the head of the White House by executive order banned the import of Russian crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas and coal to the United States. Now the measure has been approved at the level of the main legislative body – in the form of a bill. Tightening of the tariff regime for Belarus The decision to terminate normal trade relations with Russia will allow the Biden administration to impose higher tariffs on various types of imports, in particular, on a number of steel and aluminum products. In addition, the draft law provides for a less favorable tariff regime for Belarus. The White House on the possible technological isolation of the Russian Federation "I would like this to happen sooner. Nevertheless, it is important that after several weeks of negotiations, we have found how to move forward," said Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic majority in the upper house of the US Congress (from New York state). At the same time, the White House believes that Russia – in the light of US and more than 30 other countries of the world’s sanctions – is likely to "lose its leading economic status" and continue to go "into economic, financial and technological isolation." Earlier, on April 7, the US authorities closed exports for three Russian airlines. Aeroflot, Utair and Azur Air have fallen under the sanctions, the US Department of Commerce said in a statement. DW