President Trump on Friday used an executive waiver to halt parts of a new sanctions measure on Russia, saying the decision was “in the national interests” and temporarily blocking duties and penalties set to take effect.
The move affects provisions in the law that would have slapped tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas, and would have imposed penalties on purchases of Russian energy, Reuters reported.
The White House released an executive order stating Mr. Trump had certified to Congress that a waiver was warranted, and the order said the waiver will remain in effect “until Trump or his top officials determine that further action is appropriate,” Reuters wrote.
The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was signed by the president in September and was due to take effect this weekend; it aimed to tighten pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine, the BBC explained.
Critics in Congress warned the waiver undermines congressional intent. Representative Don Beyer called the step “a surrender to Putin” in a statement quoted by Reuters, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers had urged full implementation before Trump moved to waive the measures.
Trump’s decision follows his recent moves to engage with Russia on energy — including a controversial diesel purchase — and it has drawn concern from US allies and some US senators who feared the new measures would be needed to pressure Moscow, the BBC reported.
Administration officials framed the waiver as a tool to preserve US strategic flexibility, saying the president can reinstate sanctions and tariffs if circumstances change, according to Reuters.
The outcome will be watched by energy markets and Washington policymakers because the law’s tariff authorities were designed to target large buyers of Russian fuel and to raise the cost of Moscow’s exports; analysts had warned those tariffs could push up global oil prices ahead of US elections, Reuters noted.
For background on the law and its political fallout, see earlier reporting on the legislation and the diesel deal: Lindsey Graham–named law: Trump waives many Russia sanctions and Senators oppose Trump Russia diesel — key questions explained.
Sources
- Reuters — reported the executive order, quoted its language, and explained the waiver will remain in effect until officials decide otherwise.
- BBC — described the scope of the new law, its naming for Senator Lindsey Graham, and the bipartisan reaction in Congress.
