Trump's Treasury Department warns that sanctioning Russia could really hurt America
The Treasury Department is concerned that imposing new sanctions on Russia could hurt the American economy, Bloomberg reported Friday. In a report given to members of Congress this week, the Treasury reportedly argues that Russia is so entrenched in the global economy that sanctions on "[Russian] debt and derivatives could destabilize financial markets," which would negatively affect the U.S. economy.
The sanctions, which are vehemently opposed by the Russian government, could also "lead to Russian retaliation against U.S. interests," the Treasury warns.
Concerns about the negative impact of Russia sanctions are not unfounded. Bloomberg notes that the American investors "BlackRock Inc., Stone Harbor Investment Partners, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are the three biggest holders of [Russian] debt." In the event of heavy sanctions on Russian debt, the Treasury expects American investors would curtail their business with Russians, which it claims could put U.S. bankers at a competitive disadvantage.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The report, Bloomberg says, is "another instance in which [President Trump's] administration seemed to take a softer line on Russia." Earlier this week, the Trump administration declined to impose additional sanctions on Russia for their meddling in the 2016 election, claiming that the existing sanctions were sufficient enough punishment. The Treasury Department also released a Forbes-sourced list of Russian "oligarchs" with ties to the Russian government, but did not levy additional sanctions upon them.
Read more at Bloomberg.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kelly O'Meara Morales is a staff writer at The Week. He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and studied Middle Eastern history and nonfiction writing amongst other esoteric subjects. When not compulsively checking Twitter, he writes and records music, subsists on tacos, and watches basketball.
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published