Trump Has Suspended Sanctions Law Against Countries that Purchase Russian Energy Resources
The waiver averts tariffs of up to 100% on major Russian crude buyers and gives Trump room to ease U.S. fuel prices.
- On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Trump invoked a waiver provision in The Graham Act, suspending potential tariffs on major purchasers of Russian crude and preventing an immediate trade confrontation with India.
- The Graham Act originally gave Trump 30 days to impose tariffs up to 100% before an October 18 deadline, while India imported $40.8 billion in Russian oil during FY2026, comprising 30.3% of its $134.7 billion total crude imports.
- Russia accounted for 51% of India's crude imports by July 2026, while domestic fuel prices hovered at record highs ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, giving the administration flexibility to manage energy costs.
- The decision avoids immediate friction with major trading partners including India, China, and Turkey, though it could trigger opposition within Congress from Republicans who supported the legislation to pressure Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.
- Trump certified the waiver in the national interest while retaining authority to restore sanctions later, though Graham had argued these measures were essential to bring Putin to negotiations during the fifth year of the war.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Trump has suspended sanctions law against countries that purchase Russian energy resources
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending a sanctions law against Russia and Iran, which provided for the possibility of imposing tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian energy resources.
Trump waives key Russia sanctions, tariffs before they take effect
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump waived key Russia-related US sanctions and tariffs days before they were to take effect under a law he signed last month, including duties on the country's goods and penalties for buying its oil and gas.In an executive order released by the White House on Friday, Trump said the waiver was in the national interests of the United States.The law is meant to increase pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine …
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Amid Ukraine's strikes on Russia's energy facilities, Trump has effectively paused the law that gave him the power to impose up to 100% tariffs on top buyers of Moscow's energy, including India.
Trump’s 100% Russian oil tariff U-turn has a catch India can’t ignore
GTRI has warned that Donald Trump’s waiver of threatened 100% tariffs on Russian oil buyers offers India only temporary relief, as Washington can reinstate the duties at any time. The think tank cited US purchases of Russian diesel, tariff protection for China and ongoing India-US trade talks as possible reasons for the move. It also urged New Delhi to protect its energy security and avoid permanent trade concessions in exchange for reversible t…
Trump's waiver of Graham law curbs comes as a relief to India, other Russian energy buyers
Trumps waiver of Graham bill provisions could leave US navigating competing priorities: sustaining pressure on Moscow, containing domestic fuel costs and avoiding unnecessary trade disputes with major energy buyers. For India, the suspension offers immediate relief from a potentially damaging tariff escalation, but similar future threats have not disappeared.
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