It's collusion between Trump and Putin. Lifting the sanctions is symbolic.
Trump needs a fall guy his Iran debacle and the high energy prices Americans are currently facing. That fall guy is Zelensky. Putin is of course happy to lend him a hand throwing Zelensky under the bus.
At some point Trump will have to repay Putin this favour of course.
Shows how Putin plays Trump like a puppet. Always has, always will.
For russia it makes sense. Money is good when you are in a war. This money also comes with the added benefit of Ukraine being forced to not attack your oil facilities....
This is how it goes when an enemy of the country is in charge. destroying alliances, destroying our credibility and trust, partnering with criminals and despots, calling your own citizens terrorists. Results don't lie, Trump's administration is attacking us from within.
If only the founding fathers thought of some kind of an amendment that would allow americans to overthrow corrupt governments by force with some legitimacy.
"Surging diesel prices in the US saw the national average rise to a record $6.52 a gallon (3.79 litres) in September, more than twice the price from a year earlier. The national average is currently $6.20, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
The US is the world’s largest diesel exporter. Its inventories have fallen sharply since the Iran war began and remain below normal levels despite refiners increasing their output.
In September, US lawmakers and Trump floated restricting diesel exports in a bid to lower consumer costs. Trump also called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on diesel fuel targets, accusing him of causing a shortage after Ukraine ramped up its strikes on Russia’s oil industry this year, aiming to disrupt its energy industry, which it uses to fund its war effort. Trump did not single Russia out for similar treatment over its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure."
Look, I don't like Trump doing this, but is the writer of the article is very ignorant about how the world works and why the US continues to export diesel.
Diesel is fungible with a relatively short (6-12 month) shelf-life. As long as refineries in the U.S. are producing diesel, and people outside the U.S. are willing to buy it, refineries are going to sell it to whoever makes them the most money.
There's really no incentive to hold onto a product that is going to expire soon just because, so it'll get sold to whoever wants to buy it as soon as it gets made.
The era of background grift is over. This is blatant, industrialized wealth extraction in plain sight, systematically hollowing out any institution that stands in its way.
Trump will do anything to profit him, he knows republican wont win mid term, after mid term he cant openly steal but still he will continue to steal as much as he can until his presidential days.
And reminder the amount to diesel trump is begging from russia hardly full fills 15 working days in US, all this bull shit is for mid term, dont get surprised if you see diesel $10 after mid term.
Besides, we are am economics sub. Bringing an extra 15 days or hours of diesel to America likely results in nearly the same amount leaving. Friction of course.
Though he did speed the process up by having the first Russian ship only a day away. Funny how that worked out.
Friendly reminder: Trump is too stupid to understand quite literally anything. He’s also a malignant narcissist with a god complex. He doesn’t understand that he does wrong, so if he wants to do something it’s innately right/good, and if he doesn’t like something it’s innately wrong/bad. Someone has something he wants, he takes it because he innately deserves to have it. Anyone telling him “no,” “stop,” “you shouldn’t do that” is innately bad because Trump believes that he is the manifestation of perfection and therefore anyone who tries to stop him must inherently be bad.
I’m not saying he’s some mastermind but he fully is aware of the bullshit he and his cronies are pulling. It’s too easy to say he’s stupid and let him use that as an excuse
I would agree as far as adding he is aware of the benefits for himself but I don't think he cares enough to even consider the negative consequences for others.
This answer is obvious. Its the same reasons they invaded Venezuela. America is the largest producer of diesel fuel, they are also the largest producer of oil. But most of americas refining capacity needs heavy sour crude, hence Venezuela and Canada. Canada already sells the bulk of its exported oil to the US. Venezuela is an added source, and since they kidnapped the leadership of Venezuela, it will likely be plundered with little to no benefit for the people of Venezuela. With these two sources of heavy crude, it allows america to sell its light sweet crude, which is the majority of what they produce, on the global market.
With regards to diesel, they had sanctions on russian oil and fuel, giving them a bigger piece of the global market for their crude and diesel. Aside from some countries that still sourced these products from russia, despite sanctions, and those who sourced from the middle east, america had the rest. But then they started a war in the middle east, choking the supply for those who souce fuel from the Persian Gulf. Without Russian oil and diesel to help fill the gap, it pushed american refining capacity to its max and they still couldnt meet both their domestic and foreign demand. So, in true american fashion, they lifted sanctions on russian diesel, and they will screw over europe in 2 ways. They're helping fund russian aggression on the eastern front. And they will buy cheap russian diesel and sell it to the Europeans who were sourcing from the middle east, because of american sanctions, at a massive profit.
Americans are not our allies under the trump regime.
Over many years, Trump has described Putin as a "strong leader" and contrasted him favourably with some U.S. leaders. During the 2016 campaign, for example, he said Putin had "been a leader far more than our president has been a leader."
Comments after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In February 2022, shortly after Russia recognized the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, Trump called Putin's move "genius" and "very savvy" in an interview. He later clarified that he was referring to the tactical aspects of the move rather than endorsing the invasion itself, which he also said should not have happened.
Repeated positive personal remarks. Trump has often said he has a good relationship with Putin and suggested that getting along with Russia's leader would be beneficial for the United States.
He has also spoken positively about Putin's intelligence and negotiating ability on multiple occasions.
Let’s think about the kinds of things that Drumpf would do if he were acting in Putin’s interests
Weaken military alliances by creating distrust among allies or reducing the alliance's effectiveness.
Reduce support for countries opposing the rival power, especially during conflicts where the rival has strategic interests.
Create domestic political polarization so the country is less able to form a consistent foreign policy.
Undermine confidence in democratic institutions, such as elections, courts, intelligence agencies, or the press, making coordinated national responses more difficult.
Delay or obstruct intelligence and counterintelligence efforts aimed at exposing the rival's espionage or influence operations.
Promote economic policies that increase the rival's leverage, for example by creating dependence on critical resources or technology.
Temporarily remove sanctions on Russian Oil and drive the price of oil up somehow.
Reveal or mishandle sensitive information in ways that could benefit the rival's intelligence services.
Shape public narratives to normalize the rival's actions, minimize its misconduct, or cast doubt on evidence of its hostile activities.
Make decisions that consistently align with the rival's strategic goals, even when those decisions appear difficult to reconcile with the country's own long-term interests.
Putin took the Krim so Trump thought he could get Grönland.
I do think that Trump also believes that he somehow can get another term as president. Or he thinks he can install a puppet (like Putin did with Medwedew) and then SOMEHOW laws change so he can become president again.
He runs the country like a company. He wants to make his friends and family even more wealthy. He doesnt need to follow laws. He breaks the law but its fine because consequences (if any) come later.
The amount of fuel is laughable, this is a bribe to buy corroboration... Happened about the same time he announced he is going after Hillary for Russia gate.
It was done to establish a „legal” channel for transferring USD to Russia. Russ are really strap for hard currency, just like in USSR days. So, it is an act of desperation on Russ side.
This is a direct and simple answer. He found a way to fund Russia's war, has an excuse to stop supporting Ukraine if they attack Russia's oil supply. Found a talking point to build public opinion against Ukraine. All b/c he screwed in attacking Iran.
The long tail:
-Violates multiple US laws and Constitutional authority - yes.
-Impeachable - yes (on top of theany others).
-Treson - very likely.
Long term damage globally - for generations to come.
Putin had to be laughing his ass off after trump called him begging for help again. History will show trump as the most successful foreign asset ever controlled by Russia.
The US wont make a friend of Russia, but they can shoot for making them less of a friend to China. Hence whatever Russia wants, Russia gets: weaker NATO, reduced support of Ukraine, lifting of sanctions. This is essentially the reverse of 1970s Russo/Sino foreign policy.
Because everything is fine, Hormuz is back to normal, US treasuries are totally cool, and there is no mania in the financial markets.
Yeah it’s totally normal that a non technical guy who fucks his sister went to the UN and said his technical product was going to kill all humanity of someone didn’t stop him.
All totally normal and fine, tune in for a really exiting execution later this Month, hope not the first of any more.
Money laundering. Giving them money for diesel they don’t have, they get funds, Ukraine gets told if you bomb them anymore and destroy something we bought then we cut you off, effectively handing Ukraine to Russia and opening up an optical excuse to punish Ukraine further for defending themselves. We’re the bad guys now.
> Why is US turning to Russia for diesel despite sanctions?(Why indeed, if the US produces so much?)
The US obviously doesn't produce enough diesel to make up for the loss of diesel that would normally meet global demand via traveling thru the Strait of Hormuz.
My understanding is they have done a decent job of getting crude oil thru the strait under US escort/protection since the pause. However, that is getting harder as Iran seems to be attacking ships more often. Last month they were attacking about 1 in 50 ships, now it is up to 1 in 20. Eventually (if Iran wants to escalate) it will get to the point where ship captains and ship owners won't want to take the risk.
It is unclear if Iran wants to escalate much further and risk a full scale war tho.
I've also heard that Iran seems to think that if they can make it to the midterms the dems will stop the war. That is a very bad reading of US politics if that is what they are banking on. A lot of dems are silent Iran hawks and there is no way they will stop funding in the middle of an ongoing conflict, no way
At this moment the US are producing 5 million barrels of refined transportation diesel per day. We use 3 million per day. There’s no diesel shortage in the US. The US gets 84% of its oil from the western hemisphere. It’s a Global situation. The world’s infrastructure is fucked up now because of Trumps war. It’s a global market. Insurance on transportation on those tankers is costing $1 million per day from the Middle East. Prior to this war it was $30k to 50k per day. Russia only produced 3% of the world’s export market of diesel. Before they started getting bombed. What the fuck is Trump talking about tons of diesel. Do we weigh diesel in tons. The fucking stupidity of MAGA in their followers never ceases to amaze.
The war with Iran made the US into one of the largest exporters of oil in the world. On top of that, the price spike helps the US oil companies make huge profits with the expense of operating in a low risk region. Imagine having the exact same cost to produce but get the advantage of the war time selling price? We’re energy independent, we don’t have to pay these prices. But hey, capitalism!
Yet the US can do it. There are 4 major refiners is the Gulf Coast that can do it. We did it years ago also when Venezuela supplied oil before the political takeover of the industry in that country.
The deal is for 38 or so million barrels. So maybe it means we don't export some of that 2 million surplus barrels for a couple of months? It really doesn't make sense. Even if we buy the diesel, and resell it, most of the buyers of US exported fuel are in the Western Hemisphere. Dunno if India or whomever would buy marked up Russian diesel would go along with that since they can just buy direct from Russia
This seems more to be a direct shot across Zelensky's bow than some play to lower diesel costs. Considering Russia and China are aiding Iran, having US dollars aid Russia's economy seems counter productive. It this point it might also be in Zelensky's best interest to double down on targeting Russia's energy sector. Obviously Trump is no ally of his and he has a valid military tactic in attacking Russia's main money maker.
I don't think the Iran read of the Dems comment is accurate. The Occam's razor is just that the longer they hold out the weaker the US looks. Trading with Russia under sanctions just underlines that weakness
The strategy seems to be to try to collapse the economy by blockading Iran's oil exports. This would probably work anywhere else in the world, the problem is that Iran has the ability to make life very difficult for it's neighbors that also want to export oil and other products. So it is a game of who can take the most pain
Blockading a country that has land borders with like 7 other countries and Russia through the Caspian Sea and through Armenia.... They can also reach China through Pakistan, through the other stans if they wanted, or they can reach it through Russia... Lol yeah it's a genius level plan.
They may be able to hold out at subsistence or near-starvation levels of economic output via the land paths but it'll never compare to sea borne oil trade. The numbers don't remotely match. It takes around 30 entire trains of tank cars to equal one VLCC oil tanker, the most common size. And rails are congested. There is only one line going across central Asia to China... you can track it on the satellite views of Kazakhstan. Likewise, the highway truck fleet can't remotely compare to the volumes at sea.
Simple: his buddies and sons will make a bunch of money on the transactions and he gets headlines for trying to do something about gas prices which only works on people too dumb to understand that gas prices are high because of Trump's stupid war on Iran.
There is no strategic thinking or even best interest of America involved.
It would be obvious good politics for the Democrats should they retake the Senate to demonstrably put votes on the floor to end the war once and for all. This one is historically impopular. They can then hammer on the GOP and Trump.
On the contrary to the Iraqi fiasco they don't have any blood on their hands so they can allow themselves to be ruthless on the matter.
And then Krasnov would veto any vote, worsening even more his approvals. Would the GOP break away then to override? Hard to tell, especially as you would need to go deep into the republican nutwit bench for that.
Anyway the road is clear : the party of war, of corruption, of inflation, of tyranny. Rinse and repeat for two straight years up to 2028. And then the democratic platform will be decided in the primaries.
I just don’t see that happening. It’s unpopular yes, but we’re in it now and have to clean up. The best we can do is negotiate back to where we were. More likely scenario is a toll through the strait and just walking away won’t even get us that
The democrats won’t do that. They might switch it up but neither party will back off Iran now that the ball is rolling. Same way multiple presidents continued unpopular wars started by the previous one. They don’t get the blame for starting it but like the Afghanistan withdrawal they’ll get the blame for leaving.
not a valid comparison. The Afghanistan war was a product of both parties, which waged for two decades and had to own it to some extent.
The problem was not agreeing to leave, it was to do so on the absolute dumpster fire of an "accord" Trump I had capitulated to the Taliban in the first place. That is what cost them - to follow the word of a wanna-be tyrant who didn't give a fuck about the national interest and was eager to sign whatever rotten deal he could then spin as an absolute triumph and wage before his electorate... sounds pretty familiar
Democrats have taken absolutely no part in any way whatsoever in this war of choice, however their feelings might have been towards Iran - not friendly.
It would be rolling blackouts for Europe if the US stopped exports, as it has strategically isolated them from other suppliers. Like everyone else, the US has drawn down its strategic buffer stockpile to the dregs. I'm surprised the salt dome hasn't bobbed up to the surface like a cork.
There are three major hydrocarbon exporters in the world, and numerous minor ones. Europe can't operate just with oil from the North Sea and that expropriated from Libya. Any major industrialized production region like China, India or Europe relies on importing oil or fuel from one of the major energy export oligarchies, like Russia, a GCC, or the US.
It's a euphemism for industry shut down. Transportation largely runs on EN 590.
In the past few years, we've seen consolidations and facility closures in the face of supply led demand destruction. Automakers have scaled back, fertilizer plants have closed, petroleum steam crackers and PE units have shutdown. Residential shutdowns come later as the economic dysfunction progresses.
Maybe they won't, but they certainly should. Not many people support this absurd war inside or outside the USA. Containment is the way. If there is one thing the US knows how to do well it is cold war or cold peace.
All efforts to stop the Russia / Ukraine war have failed. The Trump administration is still working it though and trying this tactic to buy a small amount of a commodity that the US can use. Trump used economic agreements to stop other world conflicts successfully during negotiation ... so this attempt gets Russia talking to us. Ukraine decided to be the renegade over this deal. Ukraine has a legitimate grievance and that's an understatement, but they aren't open to talk about a diplomatic solution right now. Kill the messenger if you want, but this not just a straightforward transaction. I am not offering a partisan explanation, but since people seem to be baffled, here you go.
> All efforts to stop the Russia / Ukraine war have failed.
Russia has a massive land border with China and more importantly has the infrastructure to export natural resources to them. Iran doesn't have that with it's neighbors
The idea Ukraine "aren't open to talk" is incorrect, and partisan. That's a kine pushed by the Kremlin and parroted by MAGA conservatives
From a crisis bargaining perspective, during a conflict both countries are always willing to negotiate. What you're talking about would more correctly be described as both sides lacking mutually acceptable demands to end the conflict
In short, neither side is willing to meet the political demands of the other. Putin needs large territorial gains that he is unable to get militarily at the moment. Zelensky needs to politically protect Ukrainian territory that the military was able to protect. To blame that disconnect solely on Ukraine is highly partisan
This deal has little to do with the Russo-Ukrainian war. It's about domestic US politics, primarily as a signal to the markets that Trump will do anything to keep diesel prices down, including making deals with US adversaries like Russia. We've seen similar market manipulation in the early months of the war
The idea is to create a cost so the USA does not do this again.
Trump has drastically changed his war goals from maximum everything to they can’t have nukes, but still can fund their proxy ect.
They did this with Carter humiliate him and Reagan was far more lenient with them. Even with losing control of the strait them being in a technically war with the USA is still very poisonous for 2028.
Or Iran decides if we are dying we are taking you with us. The USA can’t escape the bond market.
Their could be a belief trump cares a lot more about his own skin then anything else which isn’t unfounded. It’s also the USA has a very good history of bailing out of wars in 1-2 years.
It sounds like Iran is running out of money and they are growing more desperate. Their leverage is attacking those ships to put pressure on the USA to go to negotiations.
I know it is hard to separate your hatred for Trump from reality, but try harder to not let your wishful thinking interfere with what actually is happening.
The Strait will never be “open” as long as Trump is in office because Iran has literally no reason to trust any deal Trump offers them. He backs out of everything; why would Iran make concessions or compromises for nothing in return? Even Canada has had enough and is telling Trump to pound sand on trade negotiation. He’s completely untrustworthy and negotiation is just asking to get exploited some more.
They need money to fund the non military things their government does for it's people (it doesn't do much but it does do some things) also. They also have to pay their soldiers, it isn't just about weapons systems
100% agree that the US elected him. But at this particular juncture he is doing things very counter to what the US is standing for.
Yes, we own this mess, but dying the US supports this is oversimplified. The issue is far more complex. It’s like asking why the US is against releasing the Epstein files.
The US voters elected him twice. The whole of the legal system and democratic institutions are powerless when they try to remove him. Because he actually is good for America. No need to pretend otherwise.
But to say the US is turning to Russia is a bit over the top. This implies the country is turning to Russia, not just the president. It is a wildly unpopular move, on both sides of the aisle.
If you want to paint the US poorly due to trump, that is totally acceptable, we deserve it.
But to say that we, as a country, are turning to Russia is not accurate. This is a desperate move, by a desperate man, and not a statement of the country.
Do you not see the contradiction in your words? First you agree that trump is representing the will of the majority.
Yet you deny the fact that Trumps actions would then be representative of the majority americans who voted him and trusted him with the ability to choose and make policy for them.
You cant have one or the other as you feel like.... Either trump is a tyrant and thus isnt representative of the people who voted him or he is infact speaking for the majority.
>But to say that we, as a country, are turning to Russia is not accurate.
If Trump is the democratically elected president then yes, the Us is turning to russia. Trump isnt just waking up and making this choice. The system has guided/advised him that this is the right path to take at this particular time to satisfy a specific need. Which in this case is Diesel.
Its always funny to see people pretending that current day presidents can make decisions in a vaccum without the gears of the system first moving to facilitate or even advise said move.
He shouldn't've agreed that Trump is "representative of the majority", that's only true in the very loosest sense but mostly not. He is representative of the Electoral College on voting day, 2024. And that was decided by 49.8% of the *voting* public (those who didn't have their voting privileges purged, and those who bothered to show up), a plurality but not a majority... not that that would've mattered in any case since the EC is the determinant. But even at his height of popularity, he did not represent a majority. And his popularity has been steadily plummeting since.
Not even the GOP which controls Congress at the moment represents the majority of the people. Otherwise we'd impeach these fuckers. Our system is a bit broken for dealing with a fascist rabble-rousing party, but so is our voting public for that matter.
"Absolutely" is an acknowledgment that he is a.) the president and that b.) he won the election. The fact that only ~65% of the eligible voters voted means saying "he represents the majority" is a little more nuanced.
But if you look at current polling you will find that while he is technically the president, he does not reflect the majority. He is underwater because his favorability is in the 30's.
Trump, and his policies are unpopular and represent a minority opinion in the country right now.
True but its also impossible to get a president who represents that majority. Democracy simply cant allow such a thing. Not if we live in real life. Always, the "voted" guy will represent a certain group of people for the reasons am sure you know.
Sure...since you obviously need another reminder that he barely won and 1/3rd of our population didn't even vote...also the house and Senate are basically 50/50 and Republicans are now introducing a bill to explicitly block this diesel deal..so no he doesn't represent the majority lol
Agreed, I think this is Trump trying to change the argument from his illogical involvement with Iran as being the cause of oil price increases, into it being the fault of the Ukrainians.
With his voter base this will work because they’re really stupid. They also don’t like Ukraine because they easily fall for Russian selling itself as a dominant masculine conservative nation, despite that being untrue because Russia is largely a failed state filled with ineptitude and corruption.
It’s honestly a mute gesture cause even the quantity promised is just not subject to sanctions and it’ll go to global market and the amount promised is enough to supply the market about 20 minutes. That’s if Ukraine doesn’t bomb the refineries. In my analysis of the situation this is purely a fluff gesture to make republicans think he has a plan
Assuming we take the announcement at face value; the diesel amounts to an additional 2 hours of global usage for October, 3 hours for November, 6ish hours sometime after that and then 18-19ish hours sometime after that.
So whatever the reason; it’s not about economics or actually increasing the supply in any meaningful way.
No Russian diesel will make its way to the US. But gold and $$ will make its way to Russia. And it will be the American taxpayer’s $$. We are about to be literally funding russias war with Ukraine. Just as we are funding genocide for Israel.
Because trump wanted to ensure his boss (putin) was able to avoid sanctions for their biggest export, and elevate him on the global stage while doing everything to undercut Ukraine's sovereignty.
Literally to help Russia? It’s just optics for dumb people. This way they can try to make an effective class of target “off limits” due to it being part of a deal or something with the US. I doubt any diesel will even change hands, and if it does it will be a drop.
This isn't about diesel, it's about unrefined oil. Russia is awash in it and the next announcement will be Trump buying it at bargain basement prices to refill the SPR. Taking the unwanted crude off Russia's hands in bulk is something only America can do without upsetting oil prices since it won't be flowing into the market.
Checks and balances does not work in democracy when politicians put their personal interests above the country´s. At this point, replacing all congressmen for mannequins would yield the same reasults while saving on taxpayers' money.
Well, hypothetically if a US President WAS in the back pocket of a Russian President, buying Russian diesel would be a way to send US$ to Russia to help fund their war, while framing it for uneducated voters (farmers, truckers, etc) as an effort to reduce the price of fuel for them. Hypothetically of course (s).
Because the president is a Russian asset. Isn’t that clear? If any other person did the pro-Russian things that Trump does they would be arrested and charged for being an unregistered foreign asset.
Because Putin has dirt on Trump. Trump also thinks dictators like Putin and Kim jong un are strong and respected which is what Trump thinks he is. He is jealous of the total control dictators have over their country and wants the same. I also think either him or his advisors know high fuel prices with mid term elections coming up is bad. He's desperate to show he is trying to bring fuel prices down.
He's trying to project a position of power while also begging for fuel. The amount he stated is miniscule. He didn't say the amount in barrels because he knows it's just a drop on the bucket. 300,000 tons of fuel or whatever he said sounds like a lot but it isn't.
300,000 tons of diesel is roughly 2.2 million barrels. The us uses roughly 3.3-4.2 million barrels of diesel a day.
Because trump’s needless war in Iran has made gas prices escalate as any 5th grader could have told you, Putin’s needless war in Ukraine has put Russia into a financial bind, and Putin told trump to import it despite sanctions so Putin has access to US dollars so he can continue his needless war and told trump he can stabilize gas prices before the midterms. A win-win for dictators everywhere. It helps that we have a spineless ethics-free congress that will only ever encourage trump to do whatever he wants no matter how damaging to the US and the world.
You mean why is the US importing Russian diesel while at the same time exporting American diesel? Because it makes sense in Trump’s brain, but he’s a stable genius or that’s what he says.
Isn't this why they invaded Venezuela? So the US can have unlimited supply? Although Russian fuel requires less coking, the amount Trump will pay does t seem to make sense.
Because the republican party is completely and totally compromised by Russia, and both groups want to destroy US credibility and alliances for the foreseeable future.
Because Trump is owned by Russia? Whether intentionally (he's syphilitic and senile so may not have much intent) or through being so easily manipulated, the work he's doing is helping Russia and China and harming the US.
So, let me explain how Don Jr will have been found to have started an oil exporter in a few months. His only customer just happens to be Putin. Daddy Trump makes a deal for Russia to ship hundreds of tonnes of diesel to America, Daddy agrees to a price of say $25/gallon, then he tells Don Jr to negotiate a deal with Putin for $3/gallon. The American taxpayer pays Don Jrs export business $25/gallon, jr pays Putin $3/gallon and we all go to sleep soundly in the knowledge that we won't be able to do shit to stop it and Trump's get richer.
Viewers doesn't produce so much diesel, they produce gas and other petroleum products, but not diesel. Us oil isn't good for diesel, not all oil is made equal, they have different grades and use cases.
He could outlaw exports of diesel and we would have a surplus. That is a crackpot dictator move and I am sure he has been told no. He could also nationalize all production and set the price. I am sure he has discussed these moves
The US makes diesel, yes. It also sells diesel abroad. There are contracts for these things. It isn't a closed market. One of Trump's ideas was to ban exports of diesel, which would help prop up the internal diesel market. However, there would be so many other bad consequences from this, that it would actually be counterproductive, and in the end even he didn't opt for it.
If you have a dairy farm, does your local grocery store only carry your milk? No. You have likely sold your milk to someone, who then processes it and redistributes it. The local store likewise has a contract to purchase milk from one or more places to provide what their customers want at a profitable price.
That makes no sense. Trump took out Maduro, a Russian ally. He attacked Iran, a Russian ally. And US support for Ukraine is still going. This is just trump trying to save his midterm chances.
US has not supported Ukraine for the entirety of Trumps presidency. Yes, they allowed NATO to buy weapons and give them to Ukraine. But the US has given nothing to Ukraine.
Even after Trump promised to license Patriot missile tech to Ukraine he reneged
trump found a way to pressure ukraine to not bomb russian refineries.
because russian refeneries are now us economic interest.
so putin can get back at his war game.
russia imports diesel from korea, they have nothing to sell at the moment.
Throughout his presidency, Trump's ONLY allies are Netanyahu and Putin.
Two dictators responsible for the death of millions of people. If this and the Epstein files aren't a sufficient demonstration of who he represents then I don't know what is.
Donald Trump is being controlled by Putin. It's so blindingly obvious that only a republican could somehow fail to see it, and even then only with the assistance of a blindingly obviously compromised propaganda machine.
Real answer is it's a distribution problem. Oil produced in central US. Western US doesn't have sufficient infrastructure to pipe it over from texas, OK, LA
Dat sure be a Lotta lbs of fuel der!
300,000 tons. Surr sounds like alot der Liza! Wonder how much data be der in gallons? Compare to how much we be usin a day?
The turd buying diesel from Russia helps nobody, but Russia. The us doesn’t have a shortage of any kind. The fuel cost are high because fuel is sold on a global market and even though the US doesn’t have a shortage, companies will sell to whoever will pay the most money. America doesn’t have a supply problem it has a corporate profits problem.
To understand Trump, always as, “what would Putin want and what would make Trump that most money” - therein lies the answer. If Trump wanted to cause the price of diesel to drop, he would just have to cap exports, which are at an all time record.
Trump, the chronic liar, said there is more oil going through the Strait than before his war. So why is he buying more from Russia? Is it that he doesn't actually need It, but wants to support Russia in any way he can?
Remember that.. we have plenty of diesel but the oil companies make more money because of the wars(Iran,Ukraine). The reason is , is because they can take advantage of the higher prices outside and go with the reasoning " hey , I can get this much over there, so I should get that here." What should of happened is they should of put a tax on all exports or they should of restricted exportation to other countries, but that would only help the little people like us , and obviously that's not as important as lining pockets of higher ups and keeping politicians donors(yes big oil is major donors for u.s. politicians ) . Doesn't matter dem or repub , they would both fail to attempt any restrictions or tax on big oil.
Because Trump and Putin are besties. They have a long history of child sex trafficking and raping children together. They are in cahoots and see no problem in terrorizing their own people.
People are massively overthinking this. It’s just an announcement, there’s no underlying policy being implemented. It’s no different from the announcement that Belarus would be replacing Canada as the potash supplier last week. They just like announcing things.
I feel it is more of Trump's desire to stop this war and get the Peace Nobel Prize. And if he'll able to stop this pointless European conflict then he certainly deserves the prize.
Ha Ha. Damn, you are unbelievably naive or a Russian bot. No one can be that dumb. Trump will win no prize for capitulating to Putin. He's spinning a tale for the midterms hoping dumb people will think 300000 tons of diesel is a lot and that Ukraine, not his stupid war, are the problem for rising costs. It's classic Trump.
He can stop it by arming Ukraine and imposing more sanctions on Russia. The invader was Russia. The conflict very much has points. Russia wanted Ukrainian territory and assets. That was the whole point.
Ukraine wants its independence and that, if you know anything at all about history is entirely understandable. It is not a pointless war for either side.
Bucephalus970 | 21 hours ago
Why is Trump violating The Lindsey Graham Act that he signed into law less than a month ago? Words words words Why can't I make my comment succinct?
1966TEX | 21 hours ago
Why did he violate USMCA or anything agreement he signs. His word is worthless and anything he signs, he signs in pencil.
urbudda | 16 hours ago
Why did he violate those kids and women
aut0g3n3r8ed | 20 hours ago
By auto pen*
theclownsmademedoit | 19 hours ago
By auto pencil*
aircavrocker | 18 hours ago
Auto crayon*
olmnknt | 7 hours ago
Auto mushroom
HistoricalSherbert92 | 18 hours ago
Autopencil asphyxiation, one could hope
mostar8 | 14 hours ago
Auto Sharpie no?
lnth1 | 21 hours ago
Heard that only enables him the right to sanction. There’s no enforcement part iiuc
ObviouslyRealPerson | 20 hours ago
And why would Russia lift their own export ban so eagerly to make it happen?
Taxi-Shinawat | 17 hours ago
It's collusion between Trump and Putin. Lifting the sanctions is symbolic.
Trump needs a fall guy his Iran debacle and the high energy prices Americans are currently facing. That fall guy is Zelensky. Putin is of course happy to lend him a hand throwing Zelensky under the bus.
At some point Trump will have to repay Putin this favour of course.
Shows how Putin plays Trump like a puppet. Always has, always will.
BigWhiteDog | 19 hours ago
Desperate for money?
ObviouslyRealPerson | 19 hours ago
I can only imagine the look on the faces of the Russians standing in line for fuel a mile away from the pumps reading this news
alivinci | 8 hours ago
For russia it makes sense. Money is good when you are in a war. This money also comes with the added benefit of Ukraine being forced to not attack your oil facilities....
GpaSags | 19 hours ago
You think he has any idea what's in most of the bills he signs?
TossZergImba | 19 hours ago
Lindsey Graham dying invalidated the act, of course!
Square_Level4633 | 17 hours ago
Because only his son will have the importing license.
bNoaht | 18 hours ago
AI needs more words to train on
Kind_Physics_1383 | 9 hours ago
It was written on toilet paper and down the drain it went.
TheGameIsFizzbin | 20 hours ago
The act itself allows him to suspend sanctions against Russia legally - that's just how stupid the Democrats are for voting for it.
Besiege7 | 19 hours ago
? Who voted
PromotionOk2443 | 21 hours ago
This is how it goes when an enemy of the country is in charge. destroying alliances, destroying our credibility and trust, partnering with criminals and despots, calling your own citizens terrorists. Results don't lie, Trump's administration is attacking us from within.
Koutei | 16 hours ago
If only the founding fathers thought of some kind of an amendment that would allow americans to overthrow corrupt governments by force with some legitimacy.
Gumichi | 13 hours ago
ngl, I'd think they'd be disappointed that we needed explicit words on paper before we actioned. is the degree of complacency salvageable?
lake_gypsy | 20 hours ago
I've thought for a while that he would turn us us over to Russia. Its the cold war long game.
Normal_Ad_1767 | 21 hours ago
Bingo
PurpleCoat6656 | 20 hours ago
Dance Kraznov, dance you fat orange dumbfuck! -Putin
[OP] lookskAIwatcher | 21 hours ago
"Surging diesel prices in the US saw the national average rise to a record $6.52 a gallon (3.79 litres) in September, more than twice the price from a year earlier. The national average is currently $6.20, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
The US is the world’s largest diesel exporter. Its inventories have fallen sharply since the Iran war began and remain below normal levels despite refiners increasing their output.
In September, US lawmakers and Trump floated restricting diesel exports in a bid to lower consumer costs. Trump also called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on diesel fuel targets, accusing him of causing a shortage after Ukraine ramped up its strikes on Russia’s oil industry this year, aiming to disrupt its energy industry, which it uses to fund its war effort. Trump did not single Russia out for similar treatment over its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure."
(from the article)
scrandlle | 21 hours ago
Look, I don't like Trump doing this, but is the writer of the article is very ignorant about how the world works and why the US continues to export diesel.
unknowndatabase | 21 hours ago
Enlighten us then.
Maxpowr9 | 20 hours ago
Are you willing to pay $10/gal for diesel? No? Well someone else is. Sell to them.
erath_droid | 17 hours ago
Diesel is fungible with a relatively short (6-12 month) shelf-life. As long as refineries in the U.S. are producing diesel, and people outside the U.S. are willing to buy it, refineries are going to sell it to whoever makes them the most money.
There's really no incentive to hold onto a product that is going to expire soon just because, so it'll get sold to whoever wants to buy it as soon as it gets made.
WATUPTRAGUY | 17 hours ago
So your explanation basically is just “capitalism?”?
team_lloyd | 21 hours ago
Please elaborate
Denver-Ski | 21 hours ago
Putin fellates trump and his family financially.
That’s pretty much it.
I apologize for such a simple response. I genuinely do not believe there is a deep economic explanation other than this.
alwaysright60 | 21 hours ago
The grift is always running in the background. The US economy mirrors the Russian economy more by the day.
outofthebliss | 20 hours ago
The era of background grift is over. This is blatant, industrialized wealth extraction in plain sight, systematically hollowing out any institution that stands in its way.
wyle_e2 | 21 hours ago
Not necessarily. Putin may also be blackmailing Trump. There may be a host of reasons why Trump is a Russian asset.
Left_Pass_97 | 20 hours ago
Russia has been blackmailing Trump since the 80’s, when they bailed him out.
Gothewahs | 21 hours ago
His wife is Russian 🤣🤣
Flashy-Extent-6092 | 21 hours ago
Trump will do anything to profit him, he knows republican wont win mid term, after mid term he cant openly steal but still he will continue to steal as much as he can until his presidential days.
And reminder the amount to diesel trump is begging from russia hardly full fills 15 working days in US, all this bull shit is for mid term, dont get surprised if you see diesel $10 after mid term.
hornswoggled111 | 18 hours ago
I've heard it was 15 hours. Days?
Besides, we are am economics sub. Bringing an extra 15 days or hours of diesel to America likely results in nearly the same amount leaving. Friction of course.
Though he did speed the process up by having the first Russian ship only a day away. Funny how that worked out.
ApoxieDK | 11 hours ago
The initial delivery (if it ever arrives) would cover about 12 hours of use. The total amount discussed would cover about 5-6 days.
The shipping time is about 25ish days, so nothing will arrive before the midterm election (if at all).
hornswoggled111 | 7 hours ago
That claim that a Russian ship was arriving is withdrawn. https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/s/simSO1hRbR
zedazeni | 20 hours ago
Friendly reminder: Trump is too stupid to understand quite literally anything. He’s also a malignant narcissist with a god complex. He doesn’t understand that he does wrong, so if he wants to do something it’s innately right/good, and if he doesn’t like something it’s innately wrong/bad. Someone has something he wants, he takes it because he innately deserves to have it. Anyone telling him “no,” “stop,” “you shouldn’t do that” is innately bad because Trump believes that he is the manifestation of perfection and therefore anyone who tries to stop him must inherently be bad.
That’s all there is to understanding Trump.
nquyen | 19 hours ago
He’s not stupid, everything being done is very intentional
RandomTunes | 5 hours ago
Is he the one doing it or is it his puppet masters?
nquyen | 4 hours ago
I’m not saying he’s some mastermind but he fully is aware of the bullshit he and his cronies are pulling. It’s too easy to say he’s stupid and let him use that as an excuse
RandomTunes | 43 minutes ago
I would agree as far as adding he is aware of the benefits for himself but I don't think he cares enough to even consider the negative consequences for others.
Crazy-Canuck463 | 20 hours ago
This answer is obvious. Its the same reasons they invaded Venezuela. America is the largest producer of diesel fuel, they are also the largest producer of oil. But most of americas refining capacity needs heavy sour crude, hence Venezuela and Canada. Canada already sells the bulk of its exported oil to the US. Venezuela is an added source, and since they kidnapped the leadership of Venezuela, it will likely be plundered with little to no benefit for the people of Venezuela. With these two sources of heavy crude, it allows america to sell its light sweet crude, which is the majority of what they produce, on the global market.
With regards to diesel, they had sanctions on russian oil and fuel, giving them a bigger piece of the global market for their crude and diesel. Aside from some countries that still sourced these products from russia, despite sanctions, and those who sourced from the middle east, america had the rest. But then they started a war in the middle east, choking the supply for those who souce fuel from the Persian Gulf. Without Russian oil and diesel to help fill the gap, it pushed american refining capacity to its max and they still couldnt meet both their domestic and foreign demand. So, in true american fashion, they lifted sanctions on russian diesel, and they will screw over europe in 2 ways. They're helping fund russian aggression on the eastern front. And they will buy cheap russian diesel and sell it to the Europeans who were sourcing from the middle east, because of american sanctions, at a massive profit.
Americans are not our allies under the trump regime.
T4TrhavrKhcFt | 19 hours ago
Evidence that suggests that Trump admires Putin:
Over many years, Trump has described Putin as a "strong leader" and contrasted him favourably with some U.S. leaders. During the 2016 campaign, for example, he said Putin had "been a leader far more than our president has been a leader."
Comments after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In February 2022, shortly after Russia recognized the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, Trump called Putin's move "genius" and "very savvy" in an interview. He later clarified that he was referring to the tactical aspects of the move rather than endorsing the invasion itself, which he also said should not have happened.
Repeated positive personal remarks. Trump has often said he has a good relationship with Putin and suggested that getting along with Russia's leader would be beneficial for the United States.
He has also spoken positively about Putin's intelligence and negotiating ability on multiple occasions.
Let’s think about the kinds of things that Drumpf would do if he were acting in Putin’s interests
Weaken military alliances by creating distrust among allies or reducing the alliance's effectiveness.
Reduce support for countries opposing the rival power, especially during conflicts where the rival has strategic interests.
Create domestic political polarization so the country is less able to form a consistent foreign policy.
Undermine confidence in democratic institutions, such as elections, courts, intelligence agencies, or the press, making coordinated national responses more difficult.
Delay or obstruct intelligence and counterintelligence efforts aimed at exposing the rival's espionage or influence operations.
Promote economic policies that increase the rival's leverage, for example by creating dependence on critical resources or technology.
Temporarily remove sanctions on Russian Oil and drive the price of oil up somehow.
Reveal or mishandle sensitive information in ways that could benefit the rival's intelligence services.
Shape public narratives to normalize the rival's actions, minimize its misconduct, or cast doubt on evidence of its hostile activities.
Make decisions that consistently align with the rival's strategic goals, even when those decisions appear difficult to reconcile with the country's own long-term interests.
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4572790-trumps-nato-hostility-and-russia-relations-trace-back-to-1987/
The authoritarian playbook
https://protectdemocracy.org/work/the-authoritarian-playbook/
Even the CIA admitted to losing agents/assets unexpectedly
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/us/politics/cia-informants-killed-captured.html
It does makes you wonder….
DoYouMindIfIRollNeed | 12 hours ago
Putin took the Krim so Trump thought he could get Grönland.
I do think that Trump also believes that he somehow can get another term as president. Or he thinks he can install a puppet (like Putin did with Medwedew) and then SOMEHOW laws change so he can become president again.
He runs the country like a company. He wants to make his friends and family even more wealthy. He doesnt need to follow laws. He breaks the law but its fine because consequences (if any) come later.
Scary_Ad_6829 | 20 hours ago
The amount of fuel is laughable, this is a bribe to buy corroboration... Happened about the same time he announced he is going after Hillary for Russia gate.
Unhappy-Community454 | 13 hours ago
It was done to establish a „legal” channel for transferring USD to Russia. Russ are really strap for hard currency, just like in USSR days. So, it is an act of desperation on Russ side.
Wise138 | 21 hours ago
This is a direct and simple answer. He found a way to fund Russia's war, has an excuse to stop supporting Ukraine if they attack Russia's oil supply. Found a talking point to build public opinion against Ukraine. All b/c he screwed in attacking Iran. The long tail: -Violates multiple US laws and Constitutional authority - yes. -Impeachable - yes (on top of theany others). -Treson - very likely. Long term damage globally - for generations to come.
hannibellecter | 18 hours ago
consequences - none
GoldStacked | 9 hours ago
Putin had to be laughing his ass off after trump called him begging for help again. History will show trump as the most successful foreign asset ever controlled by Russia.
Distinct-Response907 | 20 hours ago
The US wont make a friend of Russia, but they can shoot for making them less of a friend to China. Hence whatever Russia wants, Russia gets: weaker NATO, reduced support of Ukraine, lifting of sanctions. This is essentially the reverse of 1970s Russo/Sino foreign policy.
pickle9977 | 21 hours ago
Because everything is fine, Hormuz is back to normal, US treasuries are totally cool, and there is no mania in the financial markets.
Yeah it’s totally normal that a non technical guy who fucks his sister went to the UN and said his technical product was going to kill all humanity of someone didn’t stop him.
All totally normal and fine, tune in for a really exiting execution later this Month, hope not the first of any more.
Day_Old_Paper | 19 hours ago
Money laundering. Giving them money for diesel they don’t have, they get funds, Ukraine gets told if you bomb them anymore and destroy something we bought then we cut you off, effectively handing Ukraine to Russia and opening up an optical excuse to punish Ukraine further for defending themselves. We’re the bad guys now.
morbie5 | 21 hours ago
> Why is US turning to Russia for diesel despite sanctions?(Why indeed, if the US produces so much?)
The US obviously doesn't produce enough diesel to make up for the loss of diesel that would normally meet global demand via traveling thru the Strait of Hormuz.
My understanding is they have done a decent job of getting crude oil thru the strait under US escort/protection since the pause. However, that is getting harder as Iran seems to be attacking ships more often. Last month they were attacking about 1 in 50 ships, now it is up to 1 in 20. Eventually (if Iran wants to escalate) it will get to the point where ship captains and ship owners won't want to take the risk.
It is unclear if Iran wants to escalate much further and risk a full scale war tho.
I've also heard that Iran seems to think that if they can make it to the midterms the dems will stop the war. That is a very bad reading of US politics if that is what they are banking on. A lot of dems are silent Iran hawks and there is no way they will stop funding in the middle of an ongoing conflict, no way
macsogynist | 20 hours ago
At this moment the US are producing 5 million barrels of refined transportation diesel per day. We use 3 million per day. There’s no diesel shortage in the US. The US gets 84% of its oil from the western hemisphere. It’s a Global situation. The world’s infrastructure is fucked up now because of Trumps war. It’s a global market. Insurance on transportation on those tankers is costing $1 million per day from the Middle East. Prior to this war it was $30k to 50k per day. Russia only produced 3% of the world’s export market of diesel. Before they started getting bombed. What the fuck is Trump talking about tons of diesel. Do we weigh diesel in tons. The fucking stupidity of MAGA in their followers never ceases to amaze.
Hyperafro | 19 hours ago
The war with Iran made the US into one of the largest exporters of oil in the world. On top of that, the price spike helps the US oil companies make huge profits with the expense of operating in a low risk region. Imagine having the exact same cost to produce but get the advantage of the war time selling price? We’re energy independent, we don’t have to pay these prices. But hey, capitalism!
Ok_Valuable9450 | 4 hours ago
It's Trump raping America again
LotsofSports | 6 hours ago
Where did all that Venezuelan oil go? I know it is trash oil but Trump keeps pounding his chest over it.
ciscorandori | 4 hours ago
it's refilling the strategic oil reserve first.
LotsofSports | 3 hours ago
With crap oil that isn't ours. Raping little girls and other countries.
Hyperafro | 2 hours ago
With oil that is so thick it has to be steamed to get it out of the ground. Very few places can refine it.
ciscorandori | 2 hours ago
Yet the US can do it. There are 4 major refiners is the Gulf Coast that can do it. We did it years ago also when Venezuela supplied oil before the political takeover of the industry in that country.
NutzNBoltz369 | 8 hours ago
The deal is for 38 or so million barrels. So maybe it means we don't export some of that 2 million surplus barrels for a couple of months? It really doesn't make sense. Even if we buy the diesel, and resell it, most of the buyers of US exported fuel are in the Western Hemisphere. Dunno if India or whomever would buy marked up Russian diesel would go along with that since they can just buy direct from Russia
This seems more to be a direct shot across Zelensky's bow than some play to lower diesel costs. Considering Russia and China are aiding Iran, having US dollars aid Russia's economy seems counter productive. It this point it might also be in Zelensky's best interest to double down on targeting Russia's energy sector. Obviously Trump is no ally of his and he has a valid military tactic in attacking Russia's main money maker.
LittleMsSavoirFaire | 21 hours ago
I don't think the Iran read of the Dems comment is accurate. The Occam's razor is just that the longer they hold out the weaker the US looks. Trading with Russia under sanctions just underlines that weakness
morbie5 | 20 hours ago
> the longer they hold out
As of right now it is Iran that is making overtures to negotiate, they wanted to go back to the MOU. It is Trump that was rebuffing them on that.
PunkPirate56364 | 21 hours ago
The thing is... good luck winning a war with Iran.
morbie5 | 20 hours ago
The strategy seems to be to try to collapse the economy by blockading Iran's oil exports. This would probably work anywhere else in the world, the problem is that Iran has the ability to make life very difficult for it's neighbors that also want to export oil and other products. So it is a game of who can take the most pain
jorel43 | 9 hours ago
Blockading a country that has land borders with like 7 other countries and Russia through the Caspian Sea and through Armenia.... They can also reach China through Pakistan, through the other stans if they wanted, or they can reach it through Russia... Lol yeah it's a genius level plan.
Phiddipus_audax | 6 hours ago
They may be able to hold out at subsistence or near-starvation levels of economic output via the land paths but it'll never compare to sea borne oil trade. The numbers don't remotely match. It takes around 30 entire trains of tank cars to equal one VLCC oil tanker, the most common size. And rails are congested. There is only one line going across central Asia to China... you can track it on the satellite views of Kazakhstan. Likewise, the highway truck fleet can't remotely compare to the volumes at sea.
morbie5 | 5 hours ago
My dude, they can't export oil at the rates they need via those 'land borders with like 7 other countries' lol
jorel43 | 9 hours ago
I can't believe I had to scroll down this far before I found a worthwhile useful comment.
morbie5 | 4 hours ago
Yea, this sub has gone downhill, thanks for the award
Sea_Hold_2881 | 19 hours ago
Simple: his buddies and sons will make a bunch of money on the transactions and he gets headlines for trying to do something about gas prices which only works on people too dumb to understand that gas prices are high because of Trump's stupid war on Iran.
There is no strategic thinking or even best interest of America involved.
DramaticSimple4315 | 20 hours ago
It would be obvious good politics for the Democrats should they retake the Senate to demonstrably put votes on the floor to end the war once and for all. This one is historically impopular. They can then hammer on the GOP and Trump.
On the contrary to the Iraqi fiasco they don't have any blood on their hands so they can allow themselves to be ruthless on the matter.
And then Krasnov would veto any vote, worsening even more his approvals. Would the GOP break away then to override? Hard to tell, especially as you would need to go deep into the republican nutwit bench for that.
Anyway the road is clear : the party of war, of corruption, of inflation, of tyranny. Rinse and repeat for two straight years up to 2028. And then the democratic platform will be decided in the primaries.
morbie5 | 5 hours ago
> should they retake the Senate to demonstrably put votes on the floor to end the war once and for all.
There is no way they will stop funding in the middle of an ongoing conflict, even if they really want it to end they won't do it
thebeez23 | 4 hours ago
I just don’t see that happening. It’s unpopular yes, but we’re in it now and have to clean up. The best we can do is negotiate back to where we were. More likely scenario is a toll through the strait and just walking away won’t even get us that
jorel43 | 9 hours ago
The Democrats do what Israel tells them to do, same as the GOP
Yankee831 | 13 hours ago
The democrats won’t do that. They might switch it up but neither party will back off Iran now that the ball is rolling. Same way multiple presidents continued unpopular wars started by the previous one. They don’t get the blame for starting it but like the Afghanistan withdrawal they’ll get the blame for leaving.
DramaticSimple4315 | 11 hours ago
not a valid comparison. The Afghanistan war was a product of both parties, which waged for two decades and had to own it to some extent.
The problem was not agreeing to leave, it was to do so on the absolute dumpster fire of an "accord" Trump I had capitulated to the Taliban in the first place. That is what cost them - to follow the word of a wanna-be tyrant who didn't give a fuck about the national interest and was eager to sign whatever rotten deal he could then spin as an absolute triumph and wage before his electorate... sounds pretty familiar
Democrats have taken absolutely no part in any way whatsoever in this war of choice, however their feelings might have been towards Iran - not friendly.
lowrads | 18 hours ago
It would be rolling blackouts for Europe if the US stopped exports, as it has strategically isolated them from other suppliers. Like everyone else, the US has drawn down its strategic buffer stockpile to the dregs. I'm surprised the salt dome hasn't bobbed up to the surface like a cork.
BennyJJJJ | 9 hours ago
Why would Europe have blackouts if the US stopped exporting diesel?
lowrads | 8 hours ago
There are three major hydrocarbon exporters in the world, and numerous minor ones. Europe can't operate just with oil from the North Sea and that expropriated from Libya. Any major industrialized production region like China, India or Europe relies on importing oil or fuel from one of the major energy export oligarchies, like Russia, a GCC, or the US.
BennyJJJJ | 7 hours ago
I don't get the connection between diesel and blackouts
lowrads | 7 hours ago
It's a euphemism for industry shut down. Transportation largely runs on EN 590.
In the past few years, we've seen consolidations and facility closures in the face of supply led demand destruction. Automakers have scaled back, fertilizer plants have closed, petroleum steam crackers and PE units have shutdown. Residential shutdowns come later as the economic dysfunction progresses.
BennyJJJJ | 7 hours ago
It's not a euphemism for industry shut down
Interesting-Dream863 | 19 hours ago
They will dodge the bullet of a global catastrophic crisis tho... and that's what's on the line here
jmillar2020 | 7 hours ago
Maybe they won't, but they certainly should. Not many people support this absurd war inside or outside the USA. Containment is the way. If there is one thing the US knows how to do well it is cold war or cold peace.
ciscorandori | 11 hours ago
All efforts to stop the Russia / Ukraine war have failed. The Trump administration is still working it though and trying this tactic to buy a small amount of a commodity that the US can use. Trump used economic agreements to stop other world conflicts successfully during negotiation ... so this attempt gets Russia talking to us. Ukraine decided to be the renegade over this deal. Ukraine has a legitimate grievance and that's an understatement, but they aren't open to talk about a diplomatic solution right now. Kill the messenger if you want, but this not just a straightforward transaction. I am not offering a partisan explanation, but since people seem to be baffled, here you go.
morbie5 | 5 hours ago
> All efforts to stop the Russia / Ukraine war have failed.
Russia has a massive land border with China and more importantly has the infrastructure to export natural resources to them. Iran doesn't have that with it's neighbors
doctor_morris | 3 hours ago
> Ukraine decided to be the renegade over this deal
Nothing about this deal helps Ukraine, which is fighting for its life.
ciscorandori | 2 hours ago
I alluded to that point already.
xnmyl | 3 hours ago
Your explanation is entirely partisan.
The idea Ukraine "aren't open to talk" is incorrect, and partisan. That's a kine pushed by the Kremlin and parroted by MAGA conservatives
From a crisis bargaining perspective, during a conflict both countries are always willing to negotiate. What you're talking about would more correctly be described as both sides lacking mutually acceptable demands to end the conflict
In short, neither side is willing to meet the political demands of the other. Putin needs large territorial gains that he is unable to get militarily at the moment. Zelensky needs to politically protect Ukrainian territory that the military was able to protect. To blame that disconnect solely on Ukraine is highly partisan
This deal has little to do with the Russo-Ukrainian war. It's about domestic US politics, primarily as a signal to the markets that Trump will do anything to keep diesel prices down, including making deals with US adversaries like Russia. We've seen similar market manipulation in the early months of the war
PartySouth4295 | 18 hours ago
The idea is to create a cost so the USA does not do this again.
Trump has drastically changed his war goals from maximum everything to they can’t have nukes, but still can fund their proxy ect.
They did this with Carter humiliate him and Reagan was far more lenient with them. Even with losing control of the strait them being in a technically war with the USA is still very poisonous for 2028.
Or Iran decides if we are dying we are taking you with us. The USA can’t escape the bond market.
Their could be a belief trump cares a lot more about his own skin then anything else which isn’t unfounded. It’s also the USA has a very good history of bailing out of wars in 1-2 years.
pabodie | 17 hours ago
War is a business. Both parties like business
No_Departure_1878 | 21 hours ago
It sounds like Iran is running out of money and they are growing more desperate. Their leverage is attacking those ships to put pressure on the USA to go to negotiations.
guroo202569 | 21 hours ago
The cope is so hard here, they will stave everyone in their country before they ''run out of money''
No_Departure_1878 | 20 hours ago
I know it is hard to separate your hatred for Trump from reality, but try harder to not let your wishful thinking interfere with what actually is happening.
SatisfactionActive86 | 18 hours ago
The Strait will never be “open” as long as Trump is in office because Iran has literally no reason to trust any deal Trump offers them. He backs out of everything; why would Iran make concessions or compromises for nothing in return? Even Canada has had enough and is telling Trump to pound sand on trade negotiation. He’s completely untrustworthy and negotiation is just asking to get exploited some more.
Fluid-Piccolo-6911 | 17 hours ago
says someone who cant believe the US and trump dont know what they are doing.. you obviously only get your news from fox and friends..
No_Departure_1878 | 16 hours ago
Im from Latin America, living outside the USA and I am literally listening to the BBC while I type this.
FreeRangePixel | 18 hours ago
Let's add this nonsense to the pile of claims that Trump's war would be over in a few days. Any day now. For months. Enjoy your gas prices.
TheKrakIan | 21 hours ago
Iran doesn't have to spend a lot of money on drones. My guess is they can continue bombing until trump gives in or is out of office.
morbie5 | 20 hours ago
They need money to fund the non military things their government does for it's people (it doesn't do much but it does do some things) also. They also have to pay their soldiers, it isn't just about weapons systems
TheKrakIan | 20 hours ago
Granted, but their weapons systems cost a fraction of what the USs costs.
AustinBike | 19 hours ago
The US is not turning to Russia. Trump is turning to Russia.
There is a big difference. This is all an election stunt. A horrible, horrible election stunt.
Economically speaking this is so flawed that I don’t even want to go down that rathole.
vslife | 18 hours ago
The US elected him. Easy to say it’s just Trump; he is their president. No difference. I don’t see much protesting, Americans seem to be contempt.
AustinBike | 18 hours ago
100% agree that the US elected him. But at this particular juncture he is doing things very counter to what the US is standing for.
Yes, we own this mess, but dying the US supports this is oversimplified. The issue is far more complex. It’s like asking why the US is against releasing the Epstein files.
vslife | 18 hours ago
lol why is the US against it?
bcoder001 | 10 hours ago
The US voters elected him twice. The whole of the legal system and democratic institutions are powerless when they try to remove him. Because he actually is good for America. No need to pretend otherwise.
alivinci | 8 hours ago
I recall the US being a democracy, isnt Trump representative of the majority?
AustinBike | 8 hours ago
Absolutely.
But to say the US is turning to Russia is a bit over the top. This implies the country is turning to Russia, not just the president. It is a wildly unpopular move, on both sides of the aisle.
If you want to paint the US poorly due to trump, that is totally acceptable, we deserve it.
But to say that we, as a country, are turning to Russia is not accurate. This is a desperate move, by a desperate man, and not a statement of the country.
alivinci | 6 hours ago
Do you not see the contradiction in your words? First you agree that trump is representing the will of the majority.
Yet you deny the fact that Trumps actions would then be representative of the majority americans who voted him and trusted him with the ability to choose and make policy for them.
You cant have one or the other as you feel like.... Either trump is a tyrant and thus isnt representative of the people who voted him or he is infact speaking for the majority.
>But to say that we, as a country, are turning to Russia is not accurate.
If Trump is the democratically elected president then yes, the Us is turning to russia. Trump isnt just waking up and making this choice. The system has guided/advised him that this is the right path to take at this particular time to satisfy a specific need. Which in this case is Diesel.
Its always funny to see people pretending that current day presidents can make decisions in a vaccum without the gears of the system first moving to facilitate or even advise said move.
Phiddipus_audax | 5 hours ago
He shouldn't've agreed that Trump is "representative of the majority", that's only true in the very loosest sense but mostly not. He is representative of the Electoral College on voting day, 2024. And that was decided by 49.8% of the *voting* public (those who didn't have their voting privileges purged, and those who bothered to show up), a plurality but not a majority... not that that would've mattered in any case since the EC is the determinant. But even at his height of popularity, he did not represent a majority. And his popularity has been steadily plummeting since.
Not even the GOP which controls Congress at the moment represents the majority of the people. Otherwise we'd impeach these fuckers. Our system is a bit broken for dealing with a fascist rabble-rousing party, but so is our voting public for that matter.
alivinci | 5 hours ago
Perfectly put. If only all Americans knew saw what you see. Things would be better.
AustinBike | 2 hours ago
"Absolutely" is an acknowledgment that he is a.) the president and that b.) he won the election. The fact that only ~65% of the eligible voters voted means saying "he represents the majority" is a little more nuanced.
But if you look at current polling you will find that while he is technically the president, he does not reflect the majority. He is underwater because his favorability is in the 30's.
Trump, and his policies are unpopular and represent a minority opinion in the country right now.
alivinci | an hour ago
True but its also impossible to get a president who represents that majority. Democracy simply cant allow such a thing. Not if we live in real life. Always, the "voted" guy will represent a certain group of people for the reasons am sure you know.
Wise_Rip_1982 | 6 hours ago
Sure...since you obviously need another reminder that he barely won and 1/3rd of our population didn't even vote...also the house and Senate are basically 50/50 and Republicans are now introducing a bill to explicitly block this diesel deal..so no he doesn't represent the majority lol
alivinci | 6 hours ago
Thats interesting, l think that if said Bill goes through and his move is blocked then you would indeed be right.
Also, due to the nature of western democracies, its virtually impossible for any elected president to be representative of the majority.
Intially l was just mocking the idea that the US is a democracy but you didnt catch on and agreed.
Beginning_Ad_6616 | 4 hours ago
Agreed, I think this is Trump trying to change the argument from his illogical involvement with Iran as being the cause of oil price increases, into it being the fault of the Ukrainians.
With his voter base this will work because they’re really stupid. They also don’t like Ukraine because they easily fall for Russian selling itself as a dominant masculine conservative nation, despite that being untrue because Russia is largely a failed state filled with ineptitude and corruption.
shadeandshine | 21 hours ago
It’s honestly a mute gesture cause even the quantity promised is just not subject to sanctions and it’ll go to global market and the amount promised is enough to supply the market about 20 minutes. That’s if Ukraine doesn’t bomb the refineries. In my analysis of the situation this is purely a fluff gesture to make republicans think he has a plan
InterPunct | 20 hours ago
It's twofold; Trump's trying to appeal to his base and serve Putin.
The contribution Russia can make to impact the global market is minimal but the revenue to Russia is substantial.
And let's not forget the grift Trump has surely engineered.
Lower_Excuse_8693 | 20 hours ago
Assuming we take the announcement at face value; the diesel amounts to an additional 2 hours of global usage for October, 3 hours for November, 6ish hours sometime after that and then 18-19ish hours sometime after that.
So whatever the reason; it’s not about economics or actually increasing the supply in any meaningful way.
No_Middle_7457 | 8 hours ago
No Russian diesel will make its way to the US. But gold and $$ will make its way to Russia. And it will be the American taxpayer’s $$. We are about to be literally funding russias war with Ukraine. Just as we are funding genocide for Israel.
ZoomZoom_Driver | 21 hours ago
Because trump wanted to ensure his boss (putin) was able to avoid sanctions for their biggest export, and elevate him on the global stage while doing everything to undercut Ukraine's sovereignty.
MrSnarf26 | 21 hours ago
Literally to help Russia? It’s just optics for dumb people. This way they can try to make an effective class of target “off limits” due to it being part of a deal or something with the US. I doubt any diesel will even change hands, and if it does it will be a drop.
CommieMartyr | 19 hours ago
This isn't about diesel, it's about unrefined oil. Russia is awash in it and the next announcement will be Trump buying it at bargain basement prices to refill the SPR. Taking the unwanted crude off Russia's hands in bulk is something only America can do without upsetting oil prices since it won't be flowing into the market.
Successful_Sloth_852 | 19 hours ago
Mid term elections, it's all for optics and political theater. Of course trump helping putin in whatever way he can is a strong undercurrent.
PJGdS | 11 hours ago
Checks and balances does not work in democracy when politicians put their personal interests above the country´s. At this point, replacing all congressmen for mannequins would yield the same reasults while saving on taxpayers' money.
EvenOdd9009 | 8 hours ago
Well, hypothetically if a US President WAS in the back pocket of a Russian President, buying Russian diesel would be a way to send US$ to Russia to help fund their war, while framing it for uneducated voters (farmers, truckers, etc) as an effort to reduce the price of fuel for them. Hypothetically of course (s).
Worlds_Worst_Angler | 14 hours ago
Because the president is a Russian asset. Isn’t that clear? If any other person did the pro-Russian things that Trump does they would be arrested and charged for being an unregistered foreign asset.
Important-Proposal28 | 19 hours ago
Because Putin has dirt on Trump. Trump also thinks dictators like Putin and Kim jong un are strong and respected which is what Trump thinks he is. He is jealous of the total control dictators have over their country and wants the same. I also think either him or his advisors know high fuel prices with mid term elections coming up is bad. He's desperate to show he is trying to bring fuel prices down.
He's trying to project a position of power while also begging for fuel. The amount he stated is miniscule. He didn't say the amount in barrels because he knows it's just a drop on the bucket. 300,000 tons of fuel or whatever he said sounds like a lot but it isn't.
300,000 tons of diesel is roughly 2.2 million barrels. The us uses roughly 3.3-4.2 million barrels of diesel a day.
johnnybna | 15 hours ago
Because trump’s needless war in Iran has made gas prices escalate as any 5th grader could have told you, Putin’s needless war in Ukraine has put Russia into a financial bind, and Putin told trump to import it despite sanctions so Putin has access to US dollars so he can continue his needless war and told trump he can stabilize gas prices before the midterms. A win-win for dictators everywhere. It helps that we have a spineless ethics-free congress that will only ever encourage trump to do whatever he wants no matter how damaging to the US and the world.
No-Cat-2980 | 19 hours ago
You mean why is the US importing Russian diesel while at the same time exporting American diesel? Because it makes sense in Trump’s brain, but he’s a stable genius or that’s what he says.
Consistent-Soil-1818 | 18 hours ago
Putin needs money and Trump needs to win an election.
North-Airline2676 | 21 hours ago
Isn't this why they invaded Venezuela? So the US can have unlimited supply? Although Russian fuel requires less coking, the amount Trump will pay does t seem to make sense.
draft_final_final | 21 hours ago
Because the republican party is completely and totally compromised by Russia, and both groups want to destroy US credibility and alliances for the foreseeable future.
raresanevoice | 13 hours ago
Because Trump is owned by Russia? Whether intentionally (he's syphilitic and senile so may not have much intent) or through being so easily manipulated, the work he's doing is helping Russia and China and harming the US.
jcmacon | 12 hours ago
So, let me explain how Don Jr will have been found to have started an oil exporter in a few months. His only customer just happens to be Putin. Daddy Trump makes a deal for Russia to ship hundreds of tonnes of diesel to America, Daddy agrees to a price of say $25/gallon, then he tells Don Jr to negotiate a deal with Putin for $3/gallon. The American taxpayer pays Don Jrs export business $25/gallon, jr pays Putin $3/gallon and we all go to sleep soundly in the knowledge that we won't be able to do shit to stop it and Trump's get richer.
jorel43 | 9 hours ago
Viewers doesn't produce so much diesel, they produce gas and other petroleum products, but not diesel. Us oil isn't good for diesel, not all oil is made equal, they have different grades and use cases.
retiredcheapskate | 6 hours ago
He could outlaw exports of diesel and we would have a surplus. That is a crackpot dictator move and I am sure he has been told no. He could also nationalize all production and set the price. I am sure he has discussed these moves
warpedspockclone | 3 hours ago
The US makes diesel, yes. It also sells diesel abroad. There are contracts for these things. It isn't a closed market. One of Trump's ideas was to ban exports of diesel, which would help prop up the internal diesel market. However, there would be so many other bad consequences from this, that it would actually be counterproductive, and in the end even he didn't opt for it.
If you have a dairy farm, does your local grocery store only carry your milk? No. You have likely sold your milk to someone, who then processes it and redistributes it. The local store likewise has a contract to purchase milk from one or more places to provide what their customers want at a profitable price.
Tayachkov | 3 hours ago
It could be an economically profitable deal for the us and its citizens.
Also it could be an unknown fact that ukraine is a lost cause and Trump wants to reestablish relations before others do it for further us profit.
kensmithpeng | 18 hours ago
Russia is imploding and Trump is trying to throw his boss, Putin, a life line.
But Ukraine is not going to give up and neither Europe nor Canada nor the other global middle powers will abandon them as MAGAt republicans have done.
Key-Organization3158 | 16 hours ago
That makes no sense. Trump took out Maduro, a Russian ally. He attacked Iran, a Russian ally. And US support for Ukraine is still going. This is just trump trying to save his midterm chances.
kensmithpeng | 2 hours ago
US has not supported Ukraine for the entirety of Trumps presidency. Yes, they allowed NATO to buy weapons and give them to Ukraine. But the US has given nothing to Ukraine.
Even after Trump promised to license Patriot missile tech to Ukraine he reneged
Training-Ad9429 | 14 hours ago
trump found a way to pressure ukraine to not bomb russian refineries.
because russian refeneries are now us economic interest.
so putin can get back at his war game.
russia imports diesel from korea, they have nothing to sell at the moment.
maxis2bored | 17 hours ago
Throughout his presidency, Trump's ONLY allies are Netanyahu and Putin.
Two dictators responsible for the death of millions of people. If this and the Epstein files aren't a sufficient demonstration of who he represents then I don't know what is.
USA, you're fucked.
GeneralOrder24 | 6 hours ago
Donald Trump is being controlled by Putin. It's so blindingly obvious that only a republican could somehow fail to see it, and even then only with the assistance of a blindingly obviously compromised propaganda machine.
Ok_Economist5267 | 5 hours ago
Real answer is it's a distribution problem. Oil produced in central US. Western US doesn't have sufficient infrastructure to pipe it over from texas, OK, LA
omnibossk | 16 hours ago
Blame shifting from the Hormuz Strait catastrophe. That’s what this is. And blaming the country that gets attacked by his friend and handler
Grymloq22 | 20 hours ago
Dat sure be a Lotta lbs of fuel der! 300,000 tons. Surr sounds like alot der Liza! Wonder how much data be der in gallons? Compare to how much we be usin a day?
birdman424344 | 17 hours ago
The turd buying diesel from Russia helps nobody, but Russia. The us doesn’t have a shortage of any kind. The fuel cost are high because fuel is sold on a global market and even though the US doesn’t have a shortage, companies will sell to whoever will pay the most money. America doesn’t have a supply problem it has a corporate profits problem.
paolilon | 17 hours ago
To understand Trump, always as, “what would Putin want and what would make Trump that most money” - therein lies the answer. If Trump wanted to cause the price of diesel to drop, he would just have to cap exports, which are at an all time record.
reesly | 16 hours ago
Trump, the chronic liar, said there is more oil going through the Strait than before his war. So why is he buying more from Russia? Is it that he doesn't actually need It, but wants to support Russia in any way he can?
thelamb213 | 8 hours ago
Remember that.. we have plenty of diesel but the oil companies make more money because of the wars(Iran,Ukraine). The reason is , is because they can take advantage of the higher prices outside and go with the reasoning " hey , I can get this much over there, so I should get that here." What should of happened is they should of put a tax on all exports or they should of restricted exportation to other countries, but that would only help the little people like us , and obviously that's not as important as lining pockets of higher ups and keeping politicians donors(yes big oil is major donors for u.s. politicians ) . Doesn't matter dem or repub , they would both fail to attempt any restrictions or tax on big oil.
Defiant_Freedom_249 | 8 hours ago
Because Trump and Putin are besties. They have a long history of child sex trafficking and raping children together. They are in cahoots and see no problem in terrorizing their own people.
Some-Band2225 | 6 hours ago
People are massively overthinking this. It’s just an announcement, there’s no underlying policy being implemented. It’s no different from the announcement that Belarus would be replacing Canada as the potash supplier last week. They just like announcing things.
filtarukk | 21 hours ago
I feel it is more of Trump's desire to stop this war and get the Peace Nobel Prize. And if he'll able to stop this pointless European conflict then he certainly deserves the prize.
alilhillbilly | 20 hours ago
😂
Sure. That's why.
The dude is compromised. Has been since going bankrupt in the 80s and started laundering money for Russia and children for Israel.
InvestigatorOk9354 | 19 hours ago
Pointless European conflict? Oh brother. I hope you're a bot or paid in rubles because there's no way a reasonably well informed person believes that.
BTW, if the conflict is pointless then why would stopping it be a Noble Prize worthy accomplishment?
hannibellecter | 18 hours ago
certainly deserves the prize? he started the fucking war
driver004 | 18 hours ago
Lol russia needs to dissolve
Background-Willow-67 | 17 hours ago
Ha Ha. Damn, you are unbelievably naive or a Russian bot. No one can be that dumb. Trump will win no prize for capitulating to Putin. He's spinning a tale for the midterms hoping dumb people will think 300000 tons of diesel is a lot and that Ukraine, not his stupid war, are the problem for rising costs. It's classic Trump.
temptar | 16 hours ago
He can stop it by arming Ukraine and imposing more sanctions on Russia. The invader was Russia. The conflict very much has points. Russia wanted Ukrainian territory and assets. That was the whole point.
Ukraine wants its independence and that, if you know anything at all about history is entirely understandable. It is not a pointless war for either side.