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President Donald Trump issued an executive order on October 16 waiving key provisions of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 that had been due to impose fresh sanctions and tariffs on Russia. The White House released the order in which Trump certified to Congress that the waiver aligned with American national interests at this time. The measures would have taken effect on October 18 under the legislation that Trump had signed into law the previous month.
The legislation aimed to curb revenues from Russian oil and gas sales that support Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine which began in 2022 according to the law’s stated purpose. It would have applied tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude and natural gas as well as nations assisting in sanctions evasion the White House order detailed. A separate 500 percent tariff on Russian imports was also suspended under the waiver that remains in force until administration officials determine further measures are needed.
China and India as the primary purchasers of Russian energy had voiced reservations about the bill’s potential consequences Reuters reported from Washington. The executive order instructs US agencies to monitor countries continuing to import Russian fuel or facilitating evasion of existing restrictions. Trump signed the act in mid-September despite its broad authorities to penalize Russian officials banks and the so-called shadow fleet of tankers.
The waiver arrives one week after the administration reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase diesel availability on global markets in order to ease fuel prices a development covered by CBS News and other outlets. Elevated energy costs have weighed on households in the run-up to November midterm elections that will determine control of Congress according to multiple analyses. The step reflects a shift in approach from earlier policies that pressed allies to shun Russian energy exports.
A bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers had written to the administration earlier that week calling for complete enforcement of the new law to compel Russia toward peace talks the BBC reported. Those legislators argued the sanctions would prove decisive in negotiations while thanking Trump for initially signing the bill. The waiver does not alter sanctions already in place from prior executive actions the order specified.
The White House announcement confirmed that the certification had been transmitted to Congress as the statute requires. Relations between Washington and Kyiv have grown more tense in recent days following criticism from Ukrainian officials over the diesel arrangement. Industry observers have tracked volatility in oil markets stemming from the overlapping conflicts and policy adjustments.
