New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, sent letters Monday to a dozen port and terminal operators in her state, warning them that if they accept shipments from tankers carrying Russian diesel, they will face severe penalties.
President Donald Trump announced last month that he was suspending sanctions against Russian diesel exports, which he said would allow the country to put more diesel on the global market. The decision followed what Trump said was a "highly successful" discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Under the agreement, Russia would send 2.25 million barrels of diesel to U.S. and global markets. Another 500,000 tons would be supplied in November, and a further 1 million tons would come "immediately thereafter."
The plan received bipartisan criticism from lawmakers, some of whom warned it would violate the 2022 Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, which banned imports of Russian energy products. The law allows the president to lift the ban under certain conditions, but only with congressional review of the justifications. Trump had not presented the plan to Congress prior to the announcement.
In her letter, Sherrill warned port operators that they would be in violation of federal law if they allowed vessels from Russia carrying diesel to dock or unload in New Jersey, the New York Times reported.
"In purchasing oil from Russia, a known supplier and financial supporter of Iran, Donald Trump is providing funding for a country that is engaged in hostilities with America, up to and including killing American soldiers," Sherrill wrote.
Any port taking the diesel shipments, Sherrill warned, could face "millions of dollars in penalties long after Trump has left office."
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