NAIROBI, Kenya- US President Donald Trump has waived several sanctions and tariffs on Russia that were due to take effect under a law he signed last month, citing the national interest of the United States.
Trump signed an executive order on Friday, October 16, two days before the measures were scheduled to begin.
The waivers cover duties on Russian goods and sanctions targeting foreign individuals, financial institutions and other entities under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
The law, signed on September 18, was designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
It authorises tariffs of up to 500% on goods imported from Russia and duties of up to 100% on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas, as well as countries identified as leading facilitators of sanctions evasion.
The legislation also provides for sanctions on people and entities supporting the Russian government, financial institutions linked to it, and certain Russian state-owned or controlled entities.
It includes restrictions on US investment in Russia, the purchase of Russian sovereign debt and energy-related transactions.
The new law gives the president authority to waive its measures if he certifies to Congress that doing so is in the US national interest and submits a report explaining the basis.
Trump’s order says he submitted the required certification and report.
The waivers will remain in effect until he or designated officials decide further action is appropriate.
The order does not cancel all US sanctions against Russia.
It specifically says that sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders addressing Russia’s activities remain in place.
The waiver applies to measures established by the new law.
The White House order also directs US officials to monitor countries’ purchases of Russian oil and gas and possible sanctions evasion, and to report relevant developments to the president.
The administration can therefore revisit the waivers or take further action.
The decision comes as the Trump administration faces pressure over its approach to the war in Ukraine and the economic effects of restricting Russian energy exports.
Reuters reported that analysts had warned the measures could push oil prices higher ahead of US midterm elections.
The legislation was named in honour of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, its principal congressional backer.
It passed Congress before Trump signed it into law in September.
