Trump Waives Russia Sanctions Days Before Enforcement, Congress Reacts
President Trump waived Russia sanctions days before their enforcement under the Graham Act.
Why it matters: The waiver undercuts legal sanctions targeting Russia amid its aggression in Ukraine, complicating compliance for corporations and legal counsel focused on sanctions and geopolitical risk.
- On October 16, 2026, Trump signed an executive order waiving sanctions and tariffs against Russia due under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
- The Graham Act imposed duties up to 500% on Russian goods and up to 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
- Senators Thom Tillis, Elizabeth Warren, and John Cornyn publicly condemned the waiver as undermining U.S. law and foreign policy.
- The waiver followed Trump's October 2026 decision to import Russian diesel amid a global oil crisis driven by conflict with Iran.
On October 16, 2026, President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving sanctions and associated tariffs on Russia set to take effect under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, two days before the enforcement deadline. This bipartisan legislation, passed overwhelmingly in Congress, aimed to penalize Russia for its invasion of Ukraine by imposing duties of up to 500% on Russian goods and tariffs up to 100% on top purchasers of Russian oil and gas (legislation text).
Trump justified the waiver citing national security concerns. It followed his earlier October decision to import Russian diesel to mitigate a global oil shortage compounded by U.S. tensions with Iran (Reuters report).
Congressional response was swift. Senator Elizabeth Warren called the move "thumbing his nose at Congress and enabling Vladimir Putin to continue his war of aggression" (Warren statement). Senator John Cornyn said, "Lindsey would be appalled" (Cornyn comment), and Senator Thom Tillis joined the bipartisan criticism in a letter calling the diesel import decision "a betrayal of the people of Ukraine" (Tillis letter).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly condemned the waiver, stating it "undermines international efforts to hold Russia accountable for its aggression in Ukraine" (Ukrainian official statement).
The waiver suspends duties on Russian goods and tariffs on key Russian oil and gas buyers prescribed in the Graham Act. Despite bipartisan outrage, no immediate congressional action aims to reverse the waiver, illustrating the limits of legislative recourse against executive sanctions waivers in the current political context.
For corporate and government legal counsel, this creates uncertainty in sanctions compliance, as longstanding restrictions face sudden executive overrides amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. Monitoring agency guidance and legislative developments remains critical.
By the numbers:
- 500% — maximum tariff imposed on Russian goods by the Graham Act
- 100% — tariff on major buyers of Russian oil and gas under Graham Act
- October 16, 2026 — date Trump signed the waiver executive order
Yes, but: While the waiver prompted bipartisan criticism, executive authority to waive sanctions within certain parameters remains legally established, limiting immediate congressional recourse.
What's next: Congressional leaders are considering legislative proposals to limit executive waivers of sanctions, with potential hearings expected in late 2026.