WASHINGTON / AsiaWire.IO / – President Donald Trump has enacted a suspension on the new sanctions and tariffs against Russia that Congress approved under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The White House issued the executive order on Friday, October 16, just two days prior to the scheduled initiation of the penalties. Trump informed Congress that granting this waiver was in the national interests of the United States. He signed the legislation in mid-September after it received broad support from both chambers. The executive order did not include any additional explanation.
According to the act, the US was set to impose tariffs up to 100% within a 30-day window on all imports from the five primary countries purchasing Russian crude oil or gas, and any other nations that knowingly bought Russian oil or gas within this period faced similar risks. The law also targeted the top five countries aiding Russia in evading sanctions. Furthermore, it authorized tariffs of up to 500% on all Russian goods and imposed sanctions on foreign banks engaged significantly with Russian state financial institutions.
The order states that the waiver remains effective until Trump or senior officials determine that additional measures are warranted. Existing sanctions issued through executive order remain active, and the provisions of the law related to Russia are in effect until 2031. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers mentioned on Saturday that the act grants the president additional authority to pursue peaceful solutions, asserting that imposing sanctions at this moment would obstruct negotiations. Nonetheless, the White House clarified that the president retains the power to activate these authorities at any time.
Both parties’ lawmakers voice criticism of the waiver
The decision drew immediate and harsh criticism on Capitol Hill. North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis described the move as beyond irresponsible, while Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn suggested that Graham would be appalled. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York called the arrangement with Moscow a deal with the devil. Conversely, Representative Thomas Massie, one of seven Republicans opposing the bill, expressed support for the waiver. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that this step only benefits Russia and will not bring an end to the war.
The late Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, was a leading advocate for the legislation before his unexpected death in July. The Senate approved the bill 86-11 in August, with the House passing it 262-159 on September 16, and Trump signed it two days later. The legislation targets Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions, and the shadow fleet of tankers transporting sanctioned oil. This marks the second occasion in two weeks that Trump has waived sanctions against Russia.
Russian diesel imports approved before midterm elections
The waiver followed Trump’s announcement a week earlier that the US had agreed to purchase Russian diesel to help stabilize global energy prices. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a general license extending through April for the sale, delivery, and import of Russian diesel. Russia is expected to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel to the US and international markets. Without this law, tariffs on Russian fuel products and sanctions on ships transporting them would have been enforced.
US fuel markets have faced significant pressure, with the national diesel average reaching a record $5.88 per gallon in September. The potential increase in Russian supplies also contributed to the decline in oil prices last week and helped push the dollar index lower. Earlier in the week, Senators Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, and John Cornyn urged Trump to cancel the diesel deal. Congress still holds the authority to block any future termination of these sanctions. The administration’s energy-related actions are taking place ahead of the upcoming November 3 midterm elections.