Legal warnings for NJ ports
Governor Mikie Sherrill warned New Jersey ports and terminal operators on Nov. 2 that importing Russian diesel violates federal law and could trigger repercussions. She told operators that "any effort to profit from the illegal trade in Russian fuel will be met with harsh penalties" and urged them to "turn away any tanker that seeks to use your facilities in furtherance of such unlawful activity." I find her warning necessary because importing this fuel only finances Russia’s war against Ukraine and does not lower fuel costs in the U.S. Sherrill also noted in a post to X that this fuel trade would not lower fuel costs in the U.S. and would only fund Russia’s war. Sherrill argues that the President cannot waive sanctions under the Russian Oil Act unless he certifies that Moscow has withdrawn its forces from Ukraine, which Trump has not yet done. New Jersey will look to use "every available legal and regulatory tool" to ensure that its ports, businesses, and infrastructure are not exploited to advance interests against the United States or New Jersey.
Trump’s diesel supply plan
Trump announced his diesel deal following a call with Vladimir Putin on Oct. 9, promising millions of tons of diesel fuel to the American and global markets.
| Shipment Timing | Diesel Fuel Volume |
|---|---|
| Immediate supply | 300,000 Tons |
| During November | 500,000 Tons |
| Following November | 1,000,000 Tons |
Trump’s plan introduces a massive volume of fuel into the global marketplace despite the ongoing political tension. Sherrill criticized the deal because the U.S. is engaged in hostilities with Iran, whose military is responsible for the killing of 23 service members and wounding dozens of others in recent attacks. I think this connection makes Trump’s deal with Moscow particularly dangerous for U.S. interests. The quantities Trump promised on Truth Social include 300,000 tons for immediate supply, 500,000 tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 tons to be delivered thereafter. Sherrill’s threat of penalties creates a significant barrier to these shipments, as she intends to protect New Jersey infrastructure. I find her stance against the deal’s role as an ally to Tehran to be the most blunt part of her response.
