Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is shaking up the sanctions game with a no-nonsense approach that’s got the Beltway buzzing.
Under President Donald Trump’s direction, Bessent is steering the Treasury Department away from what administration officials see as ineffective past policies, slamming European and Biden-era sanctions as mere showboating while rolling out tough tariffs and trimming sanctions lists with surgical precision, as Breitbart reports.
On a recent appearance on Meet the Press, Bessent didn’t mince words about the failures of repetitive sanctions packages. “The Europeans tell me, ‘Oh, we’re doing our 19th sanctions package.’ In my line, Kristen, if you’re going to do something 19 times, you failed,” he declared. Well, isn’t that a polite way to say “enough already” to our allies across the pond?
Bessent also highlighted a bold move by President Trump to slap a 25% tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil. He argued this wasn’t just a trade jab but a strategic necessity. “Instead, President Trump will move forward with a bold initiative that the Europeans would not follow us on,” Bessent explained on Meet the Press.
Continuing his critique, Bessent pointed out the hypocrisy of European nations buying oil from Indian refineries while dodging tariffs themselves. It’s a classic case of wanting to have their cake and eat it too, while American leadership steps up to the plate.
This tariff isn’t just about numbers; it’s a signal that the Trump administration means business when it comes to cutting off financial lifelines to adversarial regimes. If Europe won’t join the fight, then the U.S. will lead with action, not endless paperwork.
Meanwhile, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) made headlines on Monday by removing eight names from its sanctions roster. This includes five individuals and three entities, a move that’s raised eyebrows but comes with a clear rationale.
Among those delisted are three individuals who’ve cut ties with Russian billionaire Alisher Burhanovich Usmanov, a financier previously targeted by both the Biden administration and the United Kingdom. It’s not a free pass -- it’s a calculated update based on changed circumstances.
A Treasury spokesperson was quick to clarify that this isn’t a softening on Russia but part of a meticulous review process. The goal? Ensuring sanctions hit where it hurts, not just piling on names for the sake of optics.
Let’s be honest: the Biden administration’s habit of throwing sanctions at the wall to see what sticks never sat right with many conservatives. Undersecretary of the Treasury John Hurley summed it up in a statement to Breitbart News, saying, “The Biden administration issued a large number of sanctions often without a clear strategic purpose.” That’s diplomatic speak for a policy mess.
Hurley didn’t stop there, emphasizing a new direction under Trump and Bessent. “Under President Trump and Secretary Bessent’s leadership, no longer are we issuing sanctions for the purpose of political posturing,” he added to Breitbart News. Finally, a focus on results over press releases.
This shift isn’t about going soft -- it’s about being smart. Sanctions should sting economically and bolster national security, not just make headlines for a day before being forgotten.
OFAC’s authority to both impose and lift sanctions under federal law ensures flexibility, and this administration is using it wisely. Removing names after a thorough review shows a commitment to fairness, not weakness, even if critics might spin it otherwise.
The Treasury is clear: sanctions must align with President Trump’s broader agenda, not some vague progressive notion of global virtue signaling.
It’s refreshing to see a policy rooted in impact rather than ideology, even if it means ruffling a few feathers in Brussels or the old administration’s fan club.
