NRT briefing
Trump waives many Russian sanctions, tariffs under new law backed by Lindsey Graham
Based on reporting by Fox Business.
The Brief
President Donald Trump on Friday waived many Russian-related sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, citing the "national interests of the United States." The waiver, submitted to Congress, does not affect Russia-related sanctions imposed under previous executive orders and allows the president to determine whether additional action is necessary.
The Graham Act, which Trump signed into law last month, was named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. It would have imposed sanctions of up to 100% on goods from the largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas, as well as countries that knowingly bought Russian oil 30 days after enactment.
Trump's executive order follows his deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the Kremlin agreed to release millions of tons of diesel into the global market amid soaring prices. The deal came as diesel prices rose amid wars in Iran and Ukraine, with Republicans urging Trump to reduce costs before midterm elections.
Trump publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, saying it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president" and warning him to stop attacking Russian oil refineries amid tensions over the U.S. deal with Moscow. The House passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 last month; Graham died suddenly in July.
NRT commentary
How We See It
Trump's waiver of the Graham Act's sanctions shows his administration is prioritizing near-term energy prices over long-term pressure on Russia. With diesel costs high and midterms approaching, the president is betting that voters reward him for trying to lower fuel prices, even if it means softening the bite of a law named for a late Ukraine advocate.
Yet the waiver's design preserves leverage: it excludes prior executive-order sanctions and lets Trump reimpose penalties if needed. This keeps the door open for stricter action later, without committing to a timeline. But critics may argue it signals weakness to Putin, especially as Trump's comments about Zelenskyy suggest rising frustration with Kyiv's military tactics.
The trade-off is real. If the diesel deal delivers, Americans see relief at the pump and Trump gains a political win. If Moscow stalls, the waiver looks like a giveaway. For now, the president is gambling that the market gains outweigh the geopolitical costs.
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