WASHINGTON / AsiaWire.IO / – President Donald Trump has paused 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 penalties were scheduled to take effect. Trump informed Congress that the waiver served the national interests of the United States. He signed the legislation in mid-September after it received broad support in both chambers, but the executive order provided no additional explanation.
According to the act, within 30 days, the US would have imposed tariffs up to 100% on all imports from the five primary countries purchasing Russian crude oil or natural gas. Countries that knowingly bought Russian oil or gas 30 days after the law’s enactment risked the same measures. The legislation also targeted the top five nations aiding Russia in evading sanctions. Furthermore, tariffs as high as 500% could have been applied to all Russian goods, and sanctions on foreign banks engaged significantly with Russian state banks were also included.
The executive order states that the waiver remains in effect until Trump or senior officials determine that further action is necessary. Existing sanctions imposed by executive order are still enforced, and the law’s provisions concerning Russia are set to last until 2031. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated on Saturday that the act grants the president additional authority to pursue peace, emphasizing that applying sanctions now would hinder negotiations. The White House clarified that the president can exercise these powers at any time.
Members of Congress from both parties criticize the waiver
The decision elicited strong reactions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, described the move as beyond irresponsible. Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn said Graham would be appalled. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York labeled the diesel deal with Moscow a deal with the devil. Meanwhile, 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 would not bring an end to the war.
The late Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, was a leading advocate for the legislation before his sudden passing in July. The bill received Senate approval with an 86-11 vote in August, followed by the House passing it 262-159 on September 16. Trump signed the act two days later. It 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 increase ahead of midterm elections
The waiver coincided with Trump’s announcement a week earlier that the US had agreed to purchase Russian diesel to help ease global energy prices. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a general license through April, permitting the sale, delivery, and import of Russian diesel. Russia is expected to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel to the US and global markets. Without the law, tariffs on Russian fuel products and sanctions on the 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 supply contributed to declining oil prices last week and also impacted the dollar index. Earlier in the week, Senators Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, and John Cornyn urged Trump to cancel the diesel deal. Congress retains authority to block any future termination of sanctions. These energy policy moves come ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, highlighting the political context surrounding energy and foreign policy decisions.