The Russian oil exempted by Trump has been met with blatant threats from the U.S. Congress.

We take the letter sent to Goldman Sachs as an example to illustrate the specific content of these warnings: October 24, 2026 Mr. David M. Solomon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Goldman Sachs Group 200 West Street New York, NY 10282 Dear Mr. Solomon, On October 9, 2026, President Trump issued a statement, following which the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued General License No. 135. Reports indicate that parties are now arranging for the importation of Russian-origin diesel into the United States under this license. We express deep concern regarding this development and write to you accordingly. Allowing Moscow to freely sell Russian diesel on global markets undermines U.S. national security interests and betrays the Ukrainian people who are resisting Russia’s brutal and illegal war. Moreover, Section 2 of the 2022 “Stop Importing Russian Oil Act” (Public Law 117–109) generally prohibits the importation of Russian-origin energy products—including diesel—into the United States. Such a prohibition may only be lifted after the President consults with Congress for a period of time and formally certifies to Congress that all the following conditions have been satisfied: (1) Russia has ceased its military hostilities in Ukraine; (2) Russia no longer poses a direct military threat to NATO member states; and (3) Russia recognizes the Ukrainian people’s right to choose their own government. U.S. law further stipulates that any licensing measure significantly altering U.S. foreign policy toward the Russian Federation must first undergo congressional review. The current administration has not fulfilled this requirement, as mandated under Section 216 of the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (CAATSA, Public Law 115–44). Against this backdrop, any importation of Russian-origin diesel into the United States raises serious legal questions and may expose involved parties to litigation and congressional investigation. Companies importing such products in violation of U.S. law may face criminal and civil liability under Title 18, Section 545, and/or Title 19, Section 1595a of the U.S. Code. Furthermore, criminal liability extends not only to the importer of record but also to any company that knowingly purchases such diesel or facilitates its importation. The proposed importation of Russian-origin diesel also raises grave national security concerns, as it would provide financial resources to sustain Russia’s brutal and illegal war against Ukraine. Therefore, until the statutory requirements outlined above are fully satisfied, we urge your firm not to facilitate the procurement, transportation, importation, unloading, storage, financing, or distribution of Russian-origin diesel in the United States—or assist in any other transactions involving Russian-origin diesel covered under General License No. 135. To support future congressional oversight of this matter, we require your firm to retain all records related to proposed or actual imports of Russian-origin diesel—as well as records concerning any other proposed or actual transactions involving Russian-origin diesel. Such records include contracts, purchase orders, invoices, shipping documents, bills, vessel and port call records, terminal or berth booking records, customs documentation, and payment records. This requirement also covers communications with suppliers, shipping companies, importers, buyers, or other intermediaries involved in the above transactions, as well as any communications with U.S. government officials regarding proposed or actual Russian-origin diesel transactions occurring on or after September 1, 2026.

Bedtime News Analysis 【2026-11-4】: Nanjing University Also Needs 'Headline Visibility'

Victory in the election has not healed the Democratic Party’s internal divisions. El Sayed defeated Haley Stevens by just about one percentage point in the primary, while Stevens threw her support behind the Republican opponent during the final stage of the general election. Even the shared goal of competing for control of Congress failed to sustain cooperation between them—making it even harder to forge the coalitions needed to advance reforms in the future. Reducing healthcare and living costs requires restructuring income and expenditure—and inevitably challenges entrenched interests. Promising improved living standards easily wins votes, but demanding that resource-endowed, well-organized groups relinquish benefits requires substantial political power to drive reform forward. El-Sayed has demonstrated her ability to mobilize dissatisfied voters, but she has yet to prove she can break through the long-standing interest structures that obstruct reform. Trump likewise rose to power riding anti-establishment sentiment. Now, with the Republican Party suffering a major defeat, another wave of anti-establishment candidates is gaining traction—voters continue searching for leaders capable of improving their lives. Greater demographic diversity and more radical slogans cannot substitute for the resources and capacity required to deliver on promises. If expectations are again disappointed, accumulated frustration will push voters to seek even more extreme alternatives. The next Trump need not be Trump himself. 8. Russia dispatched three diesel tankers to the U.S.; two have since altered course. Trump and Putin reportedly agreed on the diesel deal—but U.S. companies remain hesitant to accept the cargo. On November 3, 2026, Windward Maritime Analytics reported that of the three tankers previously carrying Russian diesel bound for the United States, two had changed their declared destinations, leaving only one still apparently headed for the U.S. Northeast Coast. The two vessels that altered course were subject to sanctions, exposing buyers, ports, and maritime service providers to compliance risks. As of the report’s publication, no confirmed delivery of diesel to the U.S. had taken place. Xinhua News Agency report. A further public obstacle exists domestically. On November 2, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter to port and terminal operators, arguing that the Trump administration’s license conflicts with Congress’s 2022 ban on Russian energy imports, and warning that participation in such imports could incur civil and criminal liability. He specifically cautioned that penalties carry a five-year statute of limitations—meaning companies could still face multimillion-dollar fines even after Trump leaves office. State government open letter. While the White House insists the authorization is lawful, state authorities threaten enforcement action—leaving businesses to shoulder the risk arising from this conflict. Trump can tout lower gasoline prices as an achievement; Putin can showcase U.S.–Russia cooperation; yet those responsible for purchasing, transporting, and unloading the fuel must weigh whether the profits from this deal will cover potential future fines. Political agreements are announced first; legal disputes and implementation hurdles are left for businesses to resolve. The two leaders’ cooperative posture is already on display—but whether those few shipments of diesel will successfully dock remains uncertain. 9. Trump to Halt Military Aid to Israel Trump is rushing to shed electoral pressure stemming from aid to Israel—yet still wishes to preserve his alliance with Netanyahu. On November 3, 2026—during the U.S. midterm elections—Trump announced that the approximately $4 billion in annual U.S. aid to Israel would end by year’s end, claiming he had reached an agreement with Netanyahu months earlier. He added that Israel would still be permitted to purchase U.S. weapons and could receive U.S. assistance when needed. Xinhua News Agency report. The political purpose of this announcement is straightforward.

Trump's Diesel Deal Collapses as Russian Oil Tankers Divert from US

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Three Russian diesel tankers originally bound for the US have diverted their routes following midterm elections and political backlash. Analysts conclude the controversial trade deal is effectively dead, blocking Russian energy imports despite a temporary sanctions exemption.

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