US waives sweeping Russia sanctions under Graham Act days before tariffs set to take effect

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026, waiving new sanctions and tariffs on Russia mandated under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, just two days before they were set to take effect on October 18. The waived measures included up to 500 percent tariffs on Russian goods and up to 100 percent tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas. Trump cited national interest in the certification submitted to Congress but provided no additional details.

The waiver follows Trump's October 9 announcement of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel to global markets through April 2027, aimed at reducing diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections. The moves drew sharp bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who questioned rewarding Russia while its war against Ukraine continues. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the deal keeps getting dirtier, while Republican Representative Michael McCaul expressed concern the lifting of sanctions will fund the Kremlin's war machine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the diesel agreement as a gift to Putin. The Graham Act, which Trump signed into law on September 18, included a waiver provision allowing the president to suspend sanctions after submitting written certification that doing so serves the national interest.

Sources

Yahoo News, Trump waives new Russia sanctions one week after diesel deal, October 17, 2026, yahoo.com ABC News, Trump signs order waiving Graham Act sanctions on Russia, drawing backlash from some lawmakers and Zelenskyy, October 17, 2026, abcnews.com CNBC, Trump defends Russia diesel deal after bipartisan pushback: 'I made the right choice', October 12, 2026, cnbc.com NPR, Trump says U.S. to get diesel from Russia, relaxing pressure on Moscow to ease prices before midterms, October 9, 2026, npr.org