Gotcha!

MOSCOW, July 17. /ITAR-TASS/. Political rhetoric on the part of US leadership conceals a very practical willingness to eliminate ireal and hypothetical economic competitors. Such a conclusion can be drawn from the fact the new US sanctions target the defense manufacturing industry, mineral resource production and the financial sector of Russian economy, Vladimir Gutenev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Industries told ITAR-TASS.

http://en.itar-tass.com/world/741096

Obviously, Obama does want to extinguish Russian competitors. Selling more US products can basically increase GDP. That positively affects US debts.

What's new about this. Most countries have some form of protectionism or take opportunities to turn a situation to their advantage.

If anything the UK is actually one of the least protectionist countries.