President Donald Trump has issued an executive order waiving various sanctions and tariffs that were set to take effect under a law signed in September.
Key facts
- •The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was signed into law by President Trump in mid-September.
- •The law would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% on imports from major buyers of Russian energy.
- •President Trump cited the national interests of the United States as the basis for the waiver.
- •India, a significant importer of Russian oil, had previously expressed concerns regarding the legislation.
- •The executive order was issued on October 16, shortly before the sanctions were set to take effect.
US President Donald Trump announced on October 16 that he is waiving numerous sanctions, restrictions, and duties that were scheduled to take effect under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Trump signed the legislation into law in mid-September, but his new executive order halts the implementation of measures that were due to begin within 30 days of the law's enactment.
Scope of the Legislation
The legislation, primarily backed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was designed to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported into the United States from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas. The law also targeted countries that knowingly purchased Russian oil or gas following the act's implementation or were identified as top contributors to helping Russia evade existing sanctions.
Justification for the Waiver
In the executive order released by the White House, President Trump stated that he has submitted a certification to Congress declaring that the waiver is in the national interests of the United States. The decision follows concerns raised by nations such as India, which is among the largest buyers of Russian oil. The move coincides with a period in which the President has expressed criticism toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Al-Monitor, Straits Times World.
