Trump Waives Specified Russia Measures Under Graham Act

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16 waiving specified sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, suspending the immediate application of measures targeting Russian energy trade and its buyers. Trump said he had certified to Congress that the waiver was in the United States’ national interest. The order came before an October 18 deadline for measures under the law. The act authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that meet specified conditions as purchasers of Russian energy, and up to 500% on Russian goods. Those are statutory limits, not duties imposed by the waiver order. The order pauses the covered measures; it does not permanently cancel them. It remains in force until Trump or an authorized administration official determines that further action is appropriate. India and China, both major buyers of Russian oil and gas, were among the countries potentially exposed to added trade costs. The order does not name countries that could face tariffs. Instead, it directs U.S. officials to monitor purchases of Russian energy and possible sanctions-evasion activity, and to report...