WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday waiving new sanctions and tariffs on Russia, just two days before they were set to take effect. The measures came from a bill Congress passed and Trump signed into law only about four weeks earlier.
The order says the waiver is “in the national interests of the United States.” It stays in effect until Trump or his top officials decide further action is appropriate.
What the order waives
The sanctions come from the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which Trump signed in mid-September. The law is named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Congress aimed it at Russia’s revenue streams while the country continues its war against Ukraine.
According to Law Commentary’s summary of the order, it puts several penalties on hold:
- A 500% increase in the tariff rate on goods imported directly from Russia.
- 100% duties aimed at countries that keep buying Russian oil and natural gas.
The law itself stays in force. It lets the president waive its sanctions provisions if he sends Congress an unclassified report explaining why. In the order, Trump said he has submitted a certification to Congress that the waiver is in the national interest.
The diesel deal behind it
The move follows a deal Trump announced last week with Russia. Under it, Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Russian exports, and Russia agreed to supply diesel to world markets to help bring down fuel prices. Trump said Russia could start supplying 300,000 tons of diesel right away, then 500,000 more tons in November, then 1 million tons right after that.
Fuel costs are a live issue. NBC News reported that the price of diesel has jumped almost 70% since the Iran war began. Analysts have said new Russia penalties could have pushed oil prices higher while Americans are already facing higher costs and Republicans are fighting to keep their narrow majorities in Congress in next month’s midterm elections.
Reaction in Congress
Lawmakers from both parties criticized the decision. Twelve senators, six of them Republicans, signed an Oct. 13 letter asking Trump to reverse the diesel deal and enforce the sanctions Congress approved. They said the deal would help pay for Russia’s war.
Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican, said Trump “is prolonging the war, not ending it.” Critics noted that the waiver gives Russia a financial lifeline.
Congress passed the bill with strong majorities in both chambers. Many Democrats opposed it because it gave the president new tariff powers.
The wider picture
Trump has been warming toward Russia in recent weeks. He has also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly and suggested Kyiv needs a new leader, according to CNBC.
What’s next
The waiver is open-ended, so there is no date when the sanctions would come back automatically. The White House has sent its certification to Congress. This story will be updated as the White House or Congress responds.
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