US President Donald Trump may take up to 60 days to decide how to proceed with proposed Russia-related sanctions and tariffs, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday, October 17.
Speaking to reporters before travelling to Uzbekistan, Rubio said the administration wanted time to assess how the measures could affect the United States and the wider global economy.
The review follows Trump’s decision to temporarily waive key sanctions and tariffs that were due to take effect the following week under legislation known as the Graham Act.
Rubio said the 60-day period would allow officials to study the potential economic consequences before the administration determines its next steps.
Trump Says Final Decision Has Not Been Announced
Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, that he had not yet announced a final decision on the matter.
The temporary waiver leaves the administration additional time to evaluate the proposed measures and their possible impact on trade, energy prices and international economic relations.
The legislation was designed to increase economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine. Its measures include penalties targeting Russian imports and tariffs on goods from countries that continue purchasing Russian energy.
India Could Face Economic Implications
The proposed measures could also affect countries that import Russian oil and gas, including India.
Rubio identified India as an important US partner that has diversified its energy sources but remains significantly dependent on Russian oil.
Any future decision on tariffs involving countries purchasing Russian energy could therefore have implications for international trade and energy costs. The actual impact would depend on the measures ultimately implemented and the countries affected.
Decision Expected After Economic Review
The 60-day review does not mean that the sanctions and tariffs will automatically take effect after that period. Rubio described the period as an opportunity to analyse their possible consequences and determine the appropriate policy approach.
The administration has not yet announced a final decision on the next steps. The review is intended to assess how the proposed measures could affect the US economy and global markets.
