WASHINGTON / AsiaWire.IO / – President Donald Trump has halted the implementation of new sanctions and tariffs on 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 before the sanctions were scheduled to take effect. Trump informed Congress that the waiver served the national interests of the United States. After passing both chambers with broad support, he signed the legislation in mid-September. The order provided no additional explanation.
According to the act, the US would have levied tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on all imports from the five largest countries purchasing Russian crude oil or gas. Any nation knowingly buying Russian oil or gas 30 days after the law’s enactment faced the same risks. The top five countries aiding Russian sanctions evasion were also included. Moreover, the law permitted tariffs of up to 500% on all Russian-origin goods and imposed sanctions on foreign banks significantly involved with Russian state banking entities.
The order states that the waiver remains effective until Trump or senior officials determine that further measures are necessary. Previously imposed sanctions by executive order remain active, and the Russia-specific provisions of the law are set to last until 2031. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated on Saturday that the legislation grants the president additional authority to pursue peace, adding that applying sanctions at this moment could impede negotiations. The White House clarified that the president retains the power to activate these measures at any time.
Cross-party lawmakers voice disapproval over the waiver
The decision drew strong reactions on Capitol Hill. North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticized the move as beyond irresponsible. Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn suggested Graham would be appalled by it. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York described the arrangement with Moscow as a deal with the devil. Representative Thomas Massie, one of seven Republicans opposing the bill, supported the waiver. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued that the step only benefits Russia and will not bring an end to the conflict.
The late Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, was instrumental in pushing for the legislation before his sudden death in July. The bill received Senate approval with a vote of 86-11 in August, followed by a 262-159 vote in the House on September 16. Trump signed the legislation two days later. The act targets Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions, and the shadow fleet of tankers transporting sanctioned oil. This marks the second instance within two weeks where Trump has waived sanctions on Russia.
Russian diesel purchases precede midterm elections
The waiver came after Trump announced a week earlier that the US had agreed to buy Russian diesel to help stabilize global energy prices. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a general license extending through April, permitting the sale, delivery, and import of Russian diesel. Russia is expected to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel to US and international markets. Without the law, tariffs on Russian fuel products and sanctions on the ships transporting them would have been enforced.
US fuel markets have been strained, with the national diesel average reaching a record $5.88 per gallon in September. The potential increase in Russian supply also contributed to a decrease in oil prices last week and helped lower the dollar index. Several senators, including Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, and John Cornyn, urged Trump earlier in the week to cancel the diesel deal. Congress maintains authority to block any future termination of the sanctions. These energy policy decisions come ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.