Trump suspends certain Russia sanctions, tariffs under Lindsey Graham Act; reserves right to restore them

US President Donald Trump has waived the application of certain sanctions, restrictions and duties on Russia under a sweeping US law targeting Moscow and countries that continue buying its oil and gas, while retaining the authority to reinstate the measures, according to an executive order issued on Saturday.

In the order titled Implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, Trump said the waivers were in the national interest of the United States and that he had submitted the required certification and a report to Congress explaining the basis for the decision.

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The order invokes Section 115 of the Graham Act, which authorises the President to waive sanctions against foreign persons, restrictions on persons and duties imposed under the legislation, subject to reporting requirements.

“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 in the order.

The move comes as the Trump administration faces pressure over its approach to Russian energy exports and efforts to address high fuel prices. The decision to waive provisions of the new law also comes amid criticism from lawmakers who have argued that easing restrictions on Russian oil could provide Moscow with revenue while its war against Ukraine continues.

Trump waives tariffs and specified sanctions under Graham Act

The executive order waives duties provided for under Sections 112 and 113 of the Graham Act, as well as duties provided for in the order itself. These provisions concern tariffs on Russian goods and goods from countries linked to Russian oil and gas purchases or sanctions evasion.

The legislation provides for duties of up to 500% on goods imported from Russia and duties of up to 100% on goods from certain countries that meet specified criteria related to Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas purchases or the facilitation of Russian oil sanctions evasion.

Trump's order sets out those tariff increases but makes them subject to statutory exceptions and the waivers specified in Section 4. The order subsequently waives the application of duties under Sections 112 and 113, as well as duties provided for in the order.

The order also waives specified sanctions provisions and restrictions under Sections 102(a), 102(e), 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 and 117 of the Graham Act, along with provisions under Section 102(d) concerning foreign persons and restrictions on persons.

The waivers will remain in effect until the President or, where authorised under the order, the Secretary of State determines that further action is appropriate.

The order does not, however, remove all existing US sanctions on Russia. Trump explicitly stated that the waiver concerning Section 102(d) would not affect sanctions and other measures imposed under earlier executive orders addressing specified harmful foreign activities by the Russian government.

Those existing measures, including sanctions against persons designated under the relevant executive orders, remain unaffected by the new order.

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US to monitor Russian oil purchases and sanctions evasion

Alongside the waivers, Trump has directed the US Trade Representative to monitor countries' purchases of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas, as well as activity involving the evasion of Russian oil sanctions.

The Trade Representative will work with the secretaries of State, Treasury and Energy, along with other senior executive branch officials considered appropriate, to monitor developments and report to the President.

The order requires officials to inform Trump of circumstances that could indicate the need for further action, including changes to the waivers.

It also lays out tariff provisions targeting countries that rank among the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas and knowingly make new purchases of such supplies on or after October 18, 2026. A separate provision covers the top five facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion.

The duties specified for these categories are subject to the exceptions and waivers set out in the order.

Trump's decision to retain monitoring and the power to revisit the waivers leaves the administration with discretion to alter its approach as it assesses international purchases of Russian energy and efforts to circumvent sanctions.

The order delegates various authorities under the Graham Act to the secretaries of State, Treasury and Energy and to the US Trade Representative, with consultation requirements varying according to the relevant provision.

The Graham Act was signed into law by Trump on September 18, 2026. It expands US powers to impose sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and certain countries that continue to trade in Russian energy or facilitate the circumvention of existing restrictions.