By AZE.US
U.S. President Donald Trump has waived major sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia days before the new measures were due to take effect, citing the national interest of the United States.
The executive order issued October 16 implements the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 while immediately invoking the law’s waiver provisions. Trump signed the legislation on September 18.
Tariffs and Sanctions Put on Hold
The law called for an additional 500% tariff on goods imported from Russia. It also provided for tariffs of 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas if they knowingly made new purchases on or after October 18.
The order waived those duties as well as a broad group of sanctions and restrictions aimed at foreign persons, Russian banks, officials, energy trading networks and other entities covered by the legislation.
The waivers have no fixed expiration date. They will remain in force until the president or senior administration officials decide further action is appropriate, according to the order.
The move does not cancel sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders. The White House explicitly said existing measures tied to Russia’s harmful foreign activities remain in effect.
Zelenskyy Criticizes Decision
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the waiver on October 17, saying it would benefit Moscow and encourage further Russian attacks. Reuters reported that Zelenskyy described the decision as wrong and argued that it would not help stop the war.
The sanctions package had received broad bipartisan support in Congress and was designed to reduce the financial resources available to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. It also targeted the shadow fleet of tankers used to move Russian energy and would have allowed penalties against countries helping Moscow evade restrictions.
Trump told Congress the waiver was in the U.S. national interest and submitted a report explaining the basis for that determination, as required by the law. The publicly released order did not provide the detailed justification.
The decision came shortly after the Trump administration announced an agreement to import Russian diesel, a move that has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties who say it could provide additional revenue to Moscow.
AZE.US