Ken Fisher on The Real Impact of Economic Sanctions

Fisher Investments’ founder, Executive Chairman and Co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Fisher believes the real impacts of economic sanctions against Russia will be weaker than intended. Targeted countries often circumvent sanction’s intent. For example, many Western nations banned Russian oil imports. Yet as Ken says, many other countries who aren’t participating in Russian sanctions—including China and India—continue purchasing Russian fossil fuels and commodities.

Ken observes how history proves sanctions do little to impede despots like Vladimir Putin, though he acknowledges sanctions will affect Russian citizens with higher prices and increased supply chain disruptions. According to Ken, the only way for sanctions to be effective is if all participating countries stick to the full scope of the sanctions—an unlikely occurrence today.