Trump grudgingly signs Russia sanctions into law

Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump reluctantly signed off on new sanctions against Russia Wednesday, bowing to domestic pressure and putting efforts to improve ties with the Kremlin in peril.

Trump signed the legislation behind closed doors, after failed White House efforts to scupper or water down the bill.

Trump’s reluctance was on full display in an angry signing statement, in which he called the legislation “significantly flawed.”

“In its haste to pass this legislation, the Congress included a number of clearly unconstitutional provisions,” he said, including curbs on the president’s ability to “negotiate” with Russia.

“I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress,” Trump claimed.

The legislation — which also includes measures against North Korea and Iran — targets the Russian energy sector, giving Washington the ability to sanction companies involved in developing Russian pipelines, and placing curbs on some Russian weapons exporters.

It also notably constrains Trump’s ability to waive the penalties, a statement of mistrust from the Republican-controlled Congress, which remains unsettled by Trump’s warm words for President Vladimir Putin.

“The framers of our constitution made the Congress and the President coequal branches of government. This bill has already proven the wisdom of that choice,” said Senator John McCain in a biting statement.

“I hope the President will be as vocal about Russia’s aggressive behavior as he was about his concerns with this legislation.”