‘It’s not a deal with the United States’: Trump downplays Russian diesel project amid GOP criticism

President Trump began downplaying his new Russia deal after plan allow imports of Russian diesel into the United States has been the subject of fierce criticism, even from members of his own party.

“It’s a deal for the world…It’s not a deal with me,” Trump told reporters Tuesday morning, repeating that it was “not a deal with the United States.”

“They’re broadcasting it all over the world,” Trump added, after saying similar comments monday that the deal would help American farmers, but said, “It’s not really a deal with me, it’s a deal for the rest of the world.”

This statement marks a marked change since Trump announced the plans last week.

“I just concluded a very productive discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin,” he wrote on Truth Social, adding that it would be a “big announcement…for Americans and, of course, for the world.”

The deal will include the rapid release of 300,000 tonnes (about 2.2 million barrels) of diesel. This would then be followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and a million tonnes “immediately thereafter”, for a total of around 13.5 million barrels.

Its administration quickly authorized US purchases of Russian diesel until next April.

Calls on the president to “immediately reverse course”

The impact of the project has been notable, even within Trump’s own party.

A a bipartisan group of senators challenged the president to “immediately reverse course,” in a letter signed by Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah, as well as three Democrats.

The plan also received mixed reception during the midterm election campaign, with figures like Republican Mike Rogers, who is engaged in a tight Senate race in Michigan, get away from it.

Some energy experts suggest the deal could run afoul of U.S. law, while others I suggest it just won’t work. since Russia appears to lack excess diesel refining capacity to significantly increase exports and move U.S. or global diesel prices.

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Indeed, the current average price of diesel, according to the American Automobile Association, was nearly $6.28 a gallon Tuesday, up from nearly $6.27 a gallon Monday.

Wholesale diesel prices “are not moving due to the deal” between Russia and the United States,” Patrick De Haan, head of oil analysis at GasBuddy, noted Tuesday. “Truckers and farmers won’t see relief anytime soon.”

But Trump continued to defend the deal and sidestepped a question about another major criticism, namely that it could finance Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine.