US PRESIDENT Joe biden declared he would ban imports of Russian vodka, caviar, and diamonds, calling on US lawmakers to join Western allies in revoking the country's preferential trade status after the Ukraine invasion, reports Bloomberg.
Downgrading Russia's trade status 'is going to make it harder for Russia to do business with the United States,' said Mr Biden.
The president can't remove permanent normal trade relations status for Russia, a decision that lies with Congress.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the House would consider legislation next week to revoke the designation.
The move would clear the way for increased import tariffs, and Russia would join Cuba and North Korea as the only countries in the world without preferential trade status in the US.
The US. imported US$24.1 million in beverages, spirits, and vinegar from Russia last year, and $1.2 billion in seafood.
Total US alcohol imports in 2021 were $729 million, while seafood imports totalled $4.9 billion.
'We're also going to make it harder for them to buy high-end products manufactured in our country,' said Mr Biden.
Mr Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the status of the war.
'Putin's war in Ukraine will never be a victory,' said Mr Biden.
'He hoped to dominate Ukraine without a fight. He failed.'
SeaNews Turkey
Downgrading Russia's trade status 'is going to make it harder for Russia to do business with the United States,' said Mr Biden.
The president can't remove permanent normal trade relations status for Russia, a decision that lies with Congress.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the House would consider legislation next week to revoke the designation.
The move would clear the way for increased import tariffs, and Russia would join Cuba and North Korea as the only countries in the world without preferential trade status in the US.
The US. imported US$24.1 million in beverages, spirits, and vinegar from Russia last year, and $1.2 billion in seafood.
Total US alcohol imports in 2021 were $729 million, while seafood imports totalled $4.9 billion.
'We're also going to make it harder for them to buy high-end products manufactured in our country,' said Mr Biden.
Mr Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the status of the war.
'Putin's war in Ukraine will never be a victory,' said Mr Biden.
'He hoped to dominate Ukraine without a fight. He failed.'
SeaNews Turkey
