President Obama wants to impose more sanctions on Russia, doubting that President Vladimir Putin's recent overtures about peace and stability in eastern Ukraine are sincere. The U.S. is facing resistance from two quarters: Europe, which is more deeply integrated with Russia's economy, and corporate America, which wants to do business with Russia.
The country's most powerful business groups are now launching a publicity blitz against further sanctions:
"With escalating global tensions, some U.S. policy makers are considering a course of sanctions that history shows hurts American interests," reads an advertisement to be placed in major newspapers on Thursday. "We are concerned about actions that would harm American manufacturers and cost American jobs."
The ad, signed by Jay Timmons, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, and Thomas J. Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will be placed in The Financial Times, The Hill, The New York Times, Politico, Roll Call, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. [The New York Times]
Ah yes, the old "protecting American jobs" canard. The American worker — and Putin, no doubt — thanks you.