The Donald Trump administration's attempt to import Russian diesel fuel to the United States failed before it even began: none of the shipments ever reached American shores. According to the Wall Street Journal, tankers carrying cargo were forced to change course on the high seas because American oil companies refused to accept fuel.
The last of the tankers (300 thousand barrels), which arrived on the east coast of the United States, slowed down and maneuvered in standby mode for several days without getting permission from the buyers. As a result, the ship, which was originally bound for New York, turned towards Brazil - the first two tankers, Talisman and Lero, had gone there earlier. Another ship crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Egypt.
The reason for the failure is legal and reputational risks. American companies feared that receiving Russian fuel would lead to secondary sanctions: the governor of New Jersey, Mickey Sherrill, specifically warned of severe consequences for those who received such tankers. Concerns grew after the Democrats' victories in the midterm elections.