The Treasury Department announced Friday that it had denied Exxon Mobil’s request for a waiver of sanctions on Moscow that prevent U.S. companies from oil drilling in Russia.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the directions to keep sanctions intact came directly from the top: President Trump.
“In consultation with President Donald J. Trump, the Treasury Department will not be issuing waivers to U.S. companies, including Exxon, authorizing drilling prohibited by current Russian sanctions,” Mr. Mnuchin said in a statement.
The relationship between Mr. Trump and Russia has been closely scrutinized by Democrats who have accused him of conspiring with Moscow in meddling in the U.S. presidential election.
The president also been accused of being too cozy with Exxon, having picked the the oil giant’s former CEO, Rex Tillerson, for secretary of state.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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