WASHINGTON, June 7. /TASS/. The United States will impose new sanctions on Russia if it deems it necessary, President Donald Trump told reporters.
He refused to specify whether he supports the new bill developed in the US Senate that provides for tougher sanctions against Russia, including through the introduction of restrictions against third countries. "Yes, [I will] use it if it's necessary," the US leader said.
Trump emphasized that he has not yet made a decision on the matter. "I haven't decided to use it. It's a very strong bill," the president noted. In his opinion, the text of the bill allows him to decide for himself whether or not to tighten sanctions. "They (US lawmakers — TASS) have a bill that's going to be up to me," the US head of state said. He also opined that the decision on possible tougher sanctions would depend solely on him, not on the wishes of Congress. "They've made it that way, and it would save a lot of time if that happened. So I'm okay with it," Trump said.
The bill was introduced in early April by a bipartisan group of senators. The main authors of the document were Senators Lindsey Graham (a Republican from South Carolina, who is included in the Russian list of terrorists and extremists) and Richard Blumenthal (a Democrat from Connecticut). This initiative also provides for secondary sanctions against Russia's trading partners. The senators' proposal specifies tariffs of 500% on imports to the US from countries that purchase oil, gas, uranium, and other goods from Russia.