WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday suspending a broad array of newly enacted economic sanctions against Russia, asserting to Congress that the waiver serves the American national interest.
Trump had signed the legislation into law last month following overwhelming bipartisan approval in the House and Senate. The measure, titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was enacted following the sudden death of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham in July. The legislation was crafted to choke off economic revenues financing Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
Halting Tariffs and Penalties
Under the statutory provisions, the federal government was authorized to impose tariffs reaching up to 100 percent on goods entering the United States from major importers of Russian oil and natural gas, Fox Business reported. The law also targeted third-party nations purchasing Russian petroleum products starting 30 days following enactment.
The suspension was made public Friday evening in a White House notice, which confirmed that an explanatory report had been submitted to Capitol Hill. The administration did not immediately provide public specifics detailing how waiving the measures served the national interest.
The timing comes just two days prior to an Oct. 18 statutory enforcement benchmark. Earlier Friday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers spearheaded by Rep. Jim Costa of California, alongside co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, delivered a letter to the administration demanding full implementation of the sanctions. Lawmakers warned that granting relief or failing to enforce penalties would undercut peace efforts and restore vital petroleum revenue to the Kremlin as winter approaches.
Diesel Agreement and Rising Energy Prices
The president’s decision arrives on the heels of his announcement last week that he brokered an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring Russian diesel fuel to international markets. Trump stated that the arrangement was intended to tame high global energy costs, which have risen amid the conflict involving Iran.
Under the terms described by Trump, Moscow is slated to immediately deliver over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel, with an additional 500,000 tons scheduled for November, 1 million tons shortly thereafter, and roughly 3 million more tons over the following months. Lawmakers from both major parties criticized the diesel agreement, arguing it provides financial lifelines to Moscow without lowering energy costs for consumers.
The move also unfolds against a backdrop of domestic political sensitivity ahead of the Nov. 3 congressional elections. Public polling conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in early October indicated broad public disapproval regarding the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and rising consumer prices.
Congressional Reactions and Next Steps
The sanctions fight has also played directly into state-level politics. Following Graham’s death in July, his sister, Sen. Darline Graham, was appointed to his seat and is campaigning to retain it in November. While she highlighted the passage of the sanctions act as a key accomplishment during an election debate on Sunday, she defended the White House’s executive latitude.
Graham noted during the Columbia debate that the statutory language provides options for the executive branch to use economic leverage if deemed suitable to lower fuel prices and halt the conflict. “It gives the president tools that he can use if he so chooses, to end the war through economic sanctions,” Graham said, as quoted by the Associated Press.
Capitol Hill leaders are now reviewing the administration’s formal justification report. It remains uncertain whether congressional committees will attempt legislative action to override the waiver or seek further testimony from administration officials regarding Russian trade policy.
