Trump waives many Russia-related sanctions, tariffs before they were to take effect under new law

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on Oct 16 that he is waiving many sanctions, restrictions and duties days before they were to take effect under a Bill that he signed into law in September.Trump’s executive order comes as he has been warming toward Russia and publicly criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including suggesting that Ukraine needs a new leader.The legislation, whose primary backer in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on all goods brought into the US from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as any country that knowingly bought oil or gas 30 days after the law was enacted or was among the top five countries helping Russia evade sanctions.Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in mid-September.“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 released by the White House on Oct 16.Countries such as India, which is among the biggest buyers of Russian oil, have raised concerns about the Russia sanctions Bill. REUTERS