Trump waives some sanctions, restrictions, duties on Russia in Graham Act

Jerusalem Post/World NewsThe legislation, whose primary backer in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was signed into law by Trump in September.Follow us on GoogleUS President Donald Trump speaks as he attends a MAGA Inc. dinner at Mar-a-Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida, US, October 16, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)OCTOBER 17, 2026 05:16US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is waiving many sanctions, restrictions, and duties days before they were to take effect under a bill that he signed into law last month.Trump's executive order comes as he has been warming toward Russia and publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including suggesting that Ukraine needs a new leader.The legislation, whose primary backer in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on all goods brought into the US from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as any country that knowingly bought oil or gas 30 days after the law was enacted or was among the top five countries helping Russia evade sanctions.Trump claims waiver is in US's 'national interest'Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in mid-September.US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15. (credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)"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 released by the White House on Friday.Countries such as India, which is among the biggest buyers of Russian oil, have raised concerns about the Russia sanctions bill.Follow us on Google