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 energy products originating in Russia—including diesel. Such prohibition may be lifted only after the President consults with Congress for a period of time and certifies to Congress that all the following conditions have been met: (1) Russia has ceased its military hostilities against 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 diesel into the United States raises serious legal questions and may trigger litigation or 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 penalties apply not only to the importer of record but also to any company knowingly purchasing such diesel or facilitating its importation. The proposed importation of Russian diesel also raises grave national security concerns, as it would provide financial resources for Russia’s brutal and illegal war against Ukraine. Therefore, until the statutory requirements outlined above are satisfied, we urge your firm not to facilitate—through procurement, transportation, importation, unloading, storage, financing, or distribution—the importation of Russian-origin diesel into the United States, nor 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 reservation 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 communications with any U.S. government official regarding proposed or actual Russian-origin diesel transactions, beginning September 1, 2026.

Trump is facing the ‘Chongzhen Dilemma’.

First, let us clarify: This does not mean Trump will become a ‘last emperor’ like Chongzhen—Trump has lived a far more carefree and joyful life than Chongzhen ever did. Nor is today’s United States in terminal decline, as late-Ming China was. Yet Trump’s current predicament bears striking similarities to Chongzhen’s. Among all last emperors of Chinese dynasties, Chongzhen was both unfortunate and fortunate. Chongzhen’s fortune lay in retaining full authority at the highest level. Most other final monarchs were mere figureheads—‘rubber stamps.’ Chongzhen was not. He could execute powerful eunuchs (e.g., Wei Zhongxian), purge senior military commanders (e.g., Yuan Chonghuan), and dismiss grand secretaries (e.g., Zhou Yanyu) with ease and dispatch. Compared to most other doomed sovereigns, Chongzhen was never personally humiliated or powerless at the apex of power. Chongzhen’s misfortunes, however, were twofold: Misfortune 1: Before ascending the throne, he had not been the designated heir apparent; rather, he was a politically inexperienced ‘leisure prince’ thrust onto the throne unexpectedly, without systematic training for supreme leadership. Consequently, he lacked understanding of how to wield ultimate authority effectively—and his governance thus became erratic and inconsistent. Though Trump’s personality differs markedly from Chongzhen’s, he too seized supreme power as a political outsider, governing in similarly haphazard fashion—earning him the nickname ‘Trump the Unpredictable.’ Misfortune 2: Though Chongzhen held absolute authority over top-tier officials—eunuchs, generals, cabinet ministers—his edicts failed to reach or be implemented at mid- and lower-level bureaucratic echelons. Many Ming bureaucrats were aligned with the Donglin faction, which in turn represented regional financial elites and aristocratic clans. For instance, Chongzhen struggled mightily to collect taxes. Similarly, today’s U.S. mid- and upper-level bureaucrats are largely aligned with the ‘establishment’—primarily the Democratic Party, and secondarily part of the Republican Party. I previously wrote an article comparing the U.S. Democratic Party with the late-Ming Donglin faction. Why draw this parallel? Trump is now engaged in a ‘diesel war’ with the establishment led by Democrats. In early October, following a phone call between Trump and Putin, the administration opened a green light for Russian energy exports. The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued General License No. 135, temporarily permitting the sale, transport, unloading, and importation of Russian-origin diesel, effective until April 7, 2027—effectively authorizing such diesel trade at the executive level. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed that three initial tankers—carrying approximately 140,000 tons of diesel in total—had departed Russian ports and were en route to the U.S. East Coast (New York–New Jersey area). Yet a bizarre situation has emerged: To date, no American businessman or energy company has publicly claimed ownership of this diesel cargo, nor has any commercial entity volunteered to handle the associated transactions. Is Russian diesel simply too expensive? No. Russian diesel is being offered at a discount. With U.S. diesel prices soaring, American distributors stand to earn substantial, virtually risk-free profits. The United States is a capitalist country—businesspeople should, in principle, rush headlong toward profit. So why are they refusing money lying on the ground? The answer is simple: Earning this money may incur far greater costs. Only power can make capital fear profit. Democratic lawmakers, joined by establishment-aligned Republican members of Congress, jointly issued stern warnings to major U.S. banks, port authorities, and fuel distributors: Any individual or enterprise participating in this diesel importation faces penalties of up to $1 million in fines and 20 years’ imprisonment—with a statute of limitations extending up to 10 years. Even if the White House grants administrative authorization, the Department of Justice retains full authority to initiate prosecution retroactively. Faced with such steep fines and the prospect of lengthy incarceration, even the greediest businessman must pause and reconsider.

Trump's Russia Diesel Deal Struggles to Find Willing US Buyer

1 day ago

President Trump's proposed deal to import Russian diesel faces hurdles due to legal risks and sanctions concerns. Major US refiners like Phillips 66 have declined participation, leaving the cargo's destination uncertain amidst high global fuel prices.

bloomberg

2026-11-12

Trump's Russia Diesel Deal Struggles to Find Willing US Buyer

Trump's Russia Diesel Deal Struggles to Find Willing US Buyer

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