Trump Signs Executive Order Waiving New Russia Sanctions And Tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order waiving sweeping sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia’s energy revenues, reversing key provisions of legislation he signed into law last month.

The Lindsey Graham Act, named after the late US senator who sponsored the bill, authorised Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

“As described further in section 4 of this order, I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” the executive order stated.

The legislation targeted Russia’s energy and defence sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as well as Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers allegedly used to circumvent Western sanctions.

Trump’s decision to waive the sanctions comes amid a controversial agreement with Putin that would allow Russia to export diesel in exchange for relief from US sanctions.

The agreement has strained relations between Washington and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the move as a “weak decision”, while Ukrainian forces resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries.

The development adds to uncertainty over Washington’s approach to economic pressure on Moscow and its implications for US-Ukraine relations.