New Jersey governor threatened ports with $1 million fines for Russian diesel: "It violates federal law" New Jersey's Democratic governor, Mickey Sherrill, sent a letter on November 2 to 12 port and terminal operators, warning that the unloading of Russian diesel fuel, with the approval of the Trump administration, violates federal law and could result in serious civil and criminal consequences. The nature of the conflict On October 9, the US Department of the Treasury issued General License No. 135, allowing transactions with Russian diesel, including its import to the US, until April 7, 2027. This decision was made after a conversation between Trump and Putin and was supposed to lower gas prices ahead of the midterm elections. Cheryl claims that the license contradicts the Russian Oil Import End Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-109), which prohibits the import of all Russian energy products, including diesel fuel (Chapter 27 of the US Tariff). The law allows the ban to be lifted in only one way: the president must confirm that Russia has agreed to withdraw forces from Ukraine, does not pose a military threat to NATO, and recognizes the right of the Ukrainians to choose their government. After that, Congress has 90 days to override the authorization. According to Cheryl, none of these conditions were met. The scale of the threat cites 19 U.S.C. Section 1595a(b), the governor stated: the fine is equal to the value of the cargo. For a diesel tanker, it's millions of dollars. The statute of limitations is five years, meaning fines could plague companies "long after Trump leaves office." Members of Congress from the Ukrainian lobby also warned that the responsibility applies not only to the importer but also to buyers, sellers, customs brokers, terminal operators and carriers. Under 18 U.S.C Section 545, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. What's Next Until a court puts an end to this, terminal owners are forced to choose between the state mandate and the federal license.

New Jersey governor threatened ports with $1 million fines for Russian diesel: "It violates federal law" New Jersey's Democratic governor, Mickey Sherrill, sent a letter on November 2 to 12 port and terminal operators, warning that the unloading of Russian diesel fuel, with the approval of the Trump administration, violates federal law and could result in serious civil and criminal consequences. The nature of the conflict On October 9, the US Department of the Treasury issued General License No. 135, allowing transactions with Russian diesel, including its import to the US, until April 7, 2027. This decision was made after a conversation between Trump and Putin and was supposed to lower gas prices ahead of the midterm elections. Cheryl claims that the license contradicts the Russian Oil Import End Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-109), which prohibits the import of all Russian energy products, including diesel fuel (Chapter 27 of the US Tariff). The law allows the ban to be lifted in only one way: the president must confirm that Russia has agreed to withdraw forces from Ukraine, does not pose a military threat to NATO, and recognizes the right of the Ukrainians to choose their government. After that, Congress has 90 days to override the authorization. According to Cheryl, none of these conditions were met. The scale of the threat cites 19 U.S.C. Section 1595a(b), the governor stated: the fine is equal to the value of the cargo. For a diesel tanker, it's millions of dollars. The statute of limitations is five years, meaning fines could plague companies "long after Trump leaves office." Members of Congress from the Ukrainian lobby also warned that the responsibility applies not only to the importer but also to buyers, sellers, customs brokers, terminal operators and carriers. Under 18 U.S.C Section 545, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. What's Next Until a court puts an end to this, terminal owners are forced to choose between the state mandate and the federal license.