President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is waiving sweeping new tariffs and sanctions targeting Russia and countries purchasing Russian energy, citing U.S. national interests as his administration works to bring down soaring diesel prices.
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The decision comes just weeks after Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, named for the late Republican senator from South Carolina who died in July.
The legislation authorized sanctions and tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods imported from major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, including countries that continued buying Russian petroleum 30 days after the law took effect.
Trump said he formally notified Congress of his decision to suspend the measures.
“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States,” Trump said.
The move follows Trump’s recent agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release millions of tons of Russian diesel fuel into international markets.
The administration hopes the additional supply will ease rising fuel costs that have strained American farmers, truckers and businesses amid ongoing conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine.
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Republicans have increasingly emphasized the need to lower energy prices ahead of November’s midterm elections, making fuel affordability a significant economic issue.
Trump also intensified criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, suggesting Ukraine needs new leadership and urging Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The president’s decision does not eliminate existing sanctions imposed against Russia under previous executive orders.
Importantly, the waiver preserves Trump’s authority to reinstate penalties or impose additional measures if circumstances warrant.
The approach gives the White House flexibility to pursue lower energy prices while maintaining economic leverage over Moscow and countries purchasing Russian energy.
The House passed the Graham Act last month, honoring the longtime South Carolina senator, who was a prominent advocate of military assistance to Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia.
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