Trump waives Russia sanctions and tariffs days before new law was to take effect

Mixed · 2US President Donald Trump said on 16 October 2026 that he was waiving sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, days before they were to take effect. 1 2 Mixed · 2In the order, released by the White House, Trump said he had submitted to Congress a certification that issuing the waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States. 1 3 Centre · 1The order says the waivers last until Trump, or the secretary of state in consultation with other officials, determines further action is appropriate, and it directs officials to monitor purchases of Russian energy and sanctions evasion; it does not undo sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders. 4

Right · 1Reuters reported that the legislation, whose primary backer in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas and from countries helping Russia evade sanctions; Trump signed it in mid-September. 1 Left · 3The law also provides for 500% tariffs on Russian goods and sanctions on Russian officials, banks and the shadow fleet of tankers; the AP said the order formally imposes the tariffs while suspending them, so Trump could apply them later. The deadline to impose or waive them was 18 October. 5 6 7 Left · 1The Hindu, citing PTI, said the law empowered Trump to impose sweeping sanctions on Moscow and steep tariffs on the biggest purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India, and called the waiver a surprise announcement. 3

Mixed · 2India, one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil, was among the countries that had raised concerns about the bill. 2 1 Right · 1Reuters said the order comes as Trump has been warming toward Russia and publicly criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including suggesting Ukraine needs a new leader. 1 Centre · 1Deutsche Welle noted the move came a week after Trump said the US had agreed to buy diesel from Russia to bring down global energy prices, despite the potential harm to Ukraine in its war with Russia. 2

Centre · 3Trump said Russia would supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel immediately, with further shipments to follow; Newsweek said the order does not mention diesel and there is no stated causal link between the diesel deal and the waivers, while the AP said the White House did not immediately explain how the pause served the national interest. 6 4 5 Centre · 3Before the waiver, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including six Republican senators according to the Guardian, urged Trump to enforce the law and rescind the diesel deal; Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said lifting sanctions on Russian oil would "only fund the Kremlin's war machine". 6 8 4 Left · 2Several outlets tie the move to US energy prices before the November midterms: Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for higher prices, and oil prices have stayed high since the Iran war. Zelensky said the diesel deal would send cash flowing back into Russia. 6 7

Mixed · 2Senator Darline Graham, the late senator's sister, who is appointed to his seat and running for it, said in a debate that how the law is used is up to the president; the AP noted the waiver also avoids a clash with the top buyers of Russian energy, China, India and Turkey. 6 5