US: Trump signs sanctions law against Russia

The president of the United States , Donald Trump , signed on Wednesday a law imposing new economic sanctions against Russia , but criticized the legislation for interfering in their power to shape foreign policy. The president considered the bill to be seriously flawed and said it could have made "far better deals" with governments than Congress.

The measure, which gives Congress a new veto power and prevents the president from removing sanctions imposed on Russia, aims to punish Moscowfor alleged interference in the 2016 US elections, for the annexation of the Crimeaand for its involvement in a conflict in the east. Ukraine , and mainly affects the Russian energy sector . The text also sets penalties for Iran and  North Korea .

After signing the bill, passed by Congress by an overwhelming majority last week, but contrary to its desire to improve relations with Russia, the Republican president set out a long list of concerns. "The  bill is seriously flawed - particularly because it invades the authority of the executive to negotiate [...] I built a truly great company that is worth billions of dollars. That's a big part of why I was elected. As president, I can do much better business with foreign countries than Congress, " Trump said in a statement.

The president was tied down after the Republican-controlled Congress passed legislation by such a large margin last Thursday that it would have prevented any veto attempt from the bill.

The legislation has already provoked countermeasures from Russian President Vladimir Putin , who ordered the severing of 755 officials of the United States diplomatic mission in his country. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the new US penalties could undermine global stability. "Relations between the two countries are at their lowest level since the end of the Cold War , and may worsen even more," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday .

The text has sparked criticism from the European Union , which fears damage to the gas supply, and has denounced unilateral action by some companies linked to Russia .

Doubts

Senior House Democrat Nancy Pelosi expressed concern over Trump's signature communiqué saying he "raises serious doubts as to whether or not his administration intends to follow the law or whether it will continue to allow and reward aggression Of Vladimir Putin. "

In the statement, Trump complained of what he said were "clearly unconstitutional clauses" in legislation related to presidential powers to determine foreign policy.