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President Donald Trump waived major Russia-related US sanctions and tariffs on Friday, days before new penalties were due to take effect. The decision covers duties on Russian goods and measures targeting countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
Trump cited US national interests in an executive order, setting aside provisions of legislation he signed in September. The move comes as rising fuel prices and Russia's war in Ukraine draw renewed attention in Washington.
The waiver arrives weeks before US midterm elections, when Republicans face a fight to retain their narrow majorities in Congress. It also follows criticism of Trump's recent agreement to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports.
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in mid-September. The legislation sought to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. Its proposed trade measures sought to limit energy revenue flowing to Russia during the continuing conflict.
Under the law, the United States could impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian energy. The measures targeted the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas. They also covered countries making qualifying purchases after the law's deadline.
Separately, the legislation targeted countries among the five leading facilitators of efforts to evade Russian oil sanctions. Those provisions could have affected trade beyond Russia itself, extending penalties to governments and importers tied to Russian energy.
However, the law also gave the president authority to waive those penalties. Trump used that provision after notifying Congress that the exemptions served national interests. His order leaves the waivers in place until he or designated senior officials decide further action is appropriate.
Why did Trump suspend the measures just before their scheduled start? His order cited national interests, while analysts warned that fresh penalties could push oil costs higher. Americans already face rising expenses amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Oil prices have become a political concern as November's midterm elections approach. Republicans are seeking to hold both chambers of Congress, where their margins remain narrow. Broader energy tariffs could add pressure to a market already facing supply worries.
China and India, two major customers for Russian crude, had also raised objections to the sanctions proposal. Beijing opposed what it called jurisdiction beyond national borders without a basis in international law. India warned that additional tariffs could harm its relationship with Washington. That prospect raised concerns over how far penalties on Russia might reach into trade with other countries.
At the same time, Trump has taken a warmer approach toward Moscow while publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He has even suggested that Ukraine needs a different leader, adding tension to relations over the war.
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Democratic Representative Don Beyer accused Trump of yielding to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a written statement. Beyer said the waiver betrayed Ukrainian partners and went against Congress's purpose in passing sanctions aimed at Russia's invasion.
Several senators, including Republicans, had already challenged Trump's separate diesel agreement with Moscow. Under that deal, Washington agreed to lift restrictions on Russian exports, while Russia agreed to supply diesel to global markets. Trump pursued the arrangement as a way to reduce fuel prices.
The senators argued that additional Russian energy sales could provide revenue for Moscow's military campaign. Their objections came before the wider sanctions waiver, placing the administration's fuel-price decisions under further scrutiny.
In Russia, Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the order. He described the decision on X as a historic moment and said the legislation could have halted economic cooperation between Russia and the United States.
Trump's waiver postpones new Russia-related sanctions and tariffs, including penalties linked to Russian energy purchases. The White House cited national interests as oil prices rose. Critics in Congress warned that easing restrictions could benefit Moscow, while Russian officials welcomed the move. The order sets no fixed date for restoring the measures.
