Opposition to US President Donald Trump’s deal to buy diesel from Russia has started in his own party. Republican MP Brian Fitzpatrick has said he will introduce a new bill in Parliament to block the deal. Even Democratic MPs can support it.

After a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Trump announced an agreement to immediately supply 3 lakh tonnes of diesel from Russia. This diesel will be shipped to the US and other markets around the world. American lawmakers are outraged by the decision. In fact, in September, the US Congress passed legislation imposing stricter sanctions on Russia.

Will the bill pass parliament?

Fitzpatrick said on X that his bill would end all purchases of oil from Russia. It will be named the ‘Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act’. He claimed that the bill would be brought directly to the House of Representatives for a vote through a special process and would receive overwhelming support.

Republican MP Don Bacon will also support the bill. He will be its co-promoter. Bacon is not running again in the Nov. 3 election. However, the bill is considered unlikely to pass as the term of the House of Representatives expires in January.

Provision of 100% tariff on Indo-China

The US Parliament passed the ‘Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act’ on September 16. Trump signed it into law on September 18. It gave him the right to impose sanctions on Russia and impose tariffs of up to 100% on five major countries that buy oil and gas from him. It also includes India and China.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal called Trump’s deal a disgrace. He co-authored the legislation with the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Blumenthal also warned India and China to stop buying Russian oil.

What did American lawmakers say?

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shahin said that the US has imposed a ban on buying Russian energy in 2022. Trump cannot buy diesel without Parliament’s advice and legislative scrutiny. Democratic Rep. Dave Minn said the US may have to impose sanctions on itself if such agreements continue. Republican lawmaker Michael McCaul said that diesel must be made cheaper, but buying from Russia would give Putin money for the war in Ukraine.