S-400 sanctions bill approved in Turkey: Trump threatens veto

With an overwhelming majority passed House of Representatives of the United States Defense Spending Bill, amounting to $ 740 billion which also provides for sanctions against Turkey for the acquisition of the Russian missile system S-400.

According to the agency Reuters, the bill was approved with 335 votes in favor and 78 against, something that ensures a large majority. Now, the defense bill must be approved by the Senate to go into effect.

The threat of a Trump veto

The american president Donald trump He has said he will veto the $ 731 billion bill because it contains some provisions that he has opposed, while some of the things he has asked for are missing.

“I hope the Republicans in the House of Representatives vote ‘no’ on the National Defense Budget Act (NDAA), which is very weak. I will veto “ said the US president on Twitter.

I expect House Republicans to vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will pass. It should include the termination of Section 230 (for national security purposes), preserve our national monuments, and allow 5G and troop reductions in foreign lands!

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2020

However, it appears that several Republicans also rejected his threats and approved the bill. In fact, the majority that met, provides the legislature with multiple votes to circumvent a possible veto from Donald Trump.

What does the bill include: sanctions on Turkey

The bill establishes that the acquisition of the S-400 constitutes a “significant transaction” (verbal CAATSA). Therefore, it calls for the provisions of the law to be applied CAATSA (Act to Treat America’s Opponents Through Sanctions) and impose at least five sanctions within 30 days of signing. So if you vote immediately, Trump will impose the sanctions.

Of course, the bill stipulates that after one year the president can cancel the sanctions as long as he certifies to the corresponding congressional committees that:

• the Turkish government and anyone acting on its behalf no longer owns the S-400 air defense system or a system that has succeeded it.
• No official of the Russian Federation or persons acting on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation or the defense sector of the Russian Federation shall operate or maintain any S-400 air defense system or successor system within Turkey.
• The President has received credible assurances from the Government of Turkey that he will not knowingly involve or allow any foreigner to participate in any activity for the recovery of the S-400 air defense system subject to sanctions pursuant to article 231 of the CAATSA Law.

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