New sanction deal reached in US congress

Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-27 17:02:34|Editor: Mengjie
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BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. President Donald Trump is facing an impending showdown as the House of Representatives and Senate on Wednesday reached a deal on sanctions against Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"I am glad to announce that we have reached an agreement that will allow us to send sanctions legislation to the president's desk," said Bob Corker, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman.

The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the House two days ago, which will slap tougher sanctions on the three countries, followed by a day of tweaking and barbs within the Congress.

Congress voted 419-3 to pass the bill, achieving an overwhelming two-thirds majority, which means that the House could override a presidential veto.

RETORT, RESISTANCE AND RETALIATION

The measure aims at targeting key Russian officials in retaliation for Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as sanctions against Iran and the DPRK in response to their weapons programs.

Moscow had said earlier that they viewed the sanctions bill "negatively," warning that fresh restrictions would adversely affect both Russia and the U.S.

"The attitude to this will be formulated after careful analysis, and the decision will certainly be taken by the head of state, President Vladimir Putin," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

Peskov said the decision of U.S. lawmakers was "very sad news" for Russia-U.S. relations, international law and international trade relations.

The bill would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia, targeting its defense, intelligence, mining, shipping, energy and railway industries, and restrict dealings with its banks.

Reportedly it punishes Russia for its alleged role in Ukraine's crisis and the U.S. presidential election, the claims that Moscow has repeatedly denied.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko described the move as an "important decision" for Ukraine in a statement on Facebook.

In Iran, officials on Wednesday unanimously denounced Washington's fresh sanctions against Tehran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting that Iran is used to these kinds of "hostilities" and will give a necessary response to the new sanctions, official IRNA news agency reported.

"Iranians well know that they should resist and stand against their enemies," he said. "Over the past 40 years, the Iranians have faced numerous pressures, sanctions and accusations by the U.S. politicians and their propaganda machine."

"The Americans cannot tolerate an independent and influential country in this sensitive region," he said.

Iran and six world powers, namely Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, reached an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in July 2015, which put Tehran on the path of sanctions relief but with stricter limits on its nuclear program.

MORE UNCERTAINTIES

"In principle, China always opposes unilateral sanctions outside the framework of the United Nations Security Council," said Lu Kang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in response to a question over the US sanction plan at Wednesday's regular press conference.

It is reckoned that the move will bring more uncertainties to the country's relations with the three countries.

"The House's 419-3 vote on the sanctions bill reflects changes in its evaluation of threats from the three countries," said Teng Jianqun, director of the Department for American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

"The bill, undoubtedly, will bring a negative impact and more uncertainties to America's relations with the three countries, as well as solutions to related regional issues," Teng added.

As the bill has gained bipartisan support in Congress, Trump would have to decide whether or not to sign the legislation that would limit his ability to ease Russian sanctions imposed by the Barack Obama administration last year.

Experts expect Trump to sign the bill, probably with reluctance.

"The White House will not like the bill, as it limits presidential authority," Steven Pifer, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

But Trump "may have no choice but to sign," Pifer said.

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