Trump blocks new Russia sanctions and tariffs from taking effect

WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump has waived key sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia just days before they were due to take effect under a law he signed last month, including penalties related to purchases of Russian oil and gas. In an executive order released by the White House, Trump said the waiver was in the United States' national interest. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, signed by Trump in mid-September, was intended to increase pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The legislation would have imposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on all goods imported into the United States from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas within 30 days. The tariffs could also have applied to any country that knowingly bought Russian oil or gas 30 days after the law was enacted or was among the five largest countries helping Russia evade sanctions. Countries including China and India, among the largest buyers of Russian oil, raised concerns about the legislation. Beijing said it "consistently opposed long-arm jurisdiction that lacks a basis in international law," while India warned Washington that new tariffs could affect bilateral ties. The executive order said the waiver would remain in effect until Trump or senior administration officials determine that "further action is appropriate." "I have submitted to Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States," Trump said in the order. The law allows the president to waive the sanctions by informing Congress that he has determined they are not in the national interest. The measures could have risked further raising oil prices ahead of U.S. midterm elections, as Americans face higher costs largely attributed to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, analysts have said. Trump has also faced criticism from several U.S. senators, including some Republicans, over a recent diesel deal with Russia in which Washington agreed to lift sanctions on Russian exports, and Moscow agreed to supply diesel to global markets to lower fuel prices. Russian President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, called Trump's waiver "a truly historic moment," saying the legislation could have effectively brought all economic cooperation between Russia and the United States to a halt.