Trump Blocks Russian Oil Tariffs, Waiving Key Provisions of Graham Sanctioning Act

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — President Trump intervened late Friday to block the implementation of significant new sanctions and steep tariffs targeting major purchasers of Russian energy. By invoking waiver authority within a bipartisan legislative package, the president effectively halted measures designed to exert economic pressure on the Russian government.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act, signed into law by Mr. Trump last month, was scheduled to impose 100% tariffs on the world’s five largest importers of Russian natural gas and crude oil starting Sunday. However, the president utilized a provision in the statute that allows for such waivers if he certifies to Congress that the suspension serves the national interests of the United States.

In addition to the oil tariffs, the executive order suspends 500% levies on Russian goods and pauses various other sanctions. Mr. Trump confirmed he notified Congress of the decision, noting that these waivers will persist until his administration determines that further action is warranted. He has instructed officials to maintain oversight of nations importing Russian energy or attempting to circumvent existing sanctions.

The legislation, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, specifically targeted primary buyers of Russian energy, including Turkey, India, and China. While the European Union has historically been a major consumer of Russian gas, its import levels have seen a marked decline in recent years.

This policy shift follows the president’s decision one week ago to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, coinciding with an agreement between Mr. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate diesel imports into the American market. These actions represent a significant departure from long-standing U.S. efforts to restrict Russian energy revenue, which were intended to limit the financing of the invasion of Ukraine.

Amid persistent energy price volatility linked to the war in Iran, Mr. Trump has focused on the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a primary driver of global costs. Although the president recently proposed an energy ceasefire, urging both nations to halt strikes on energy infrastructure, the initiative faltered after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy resumed attacks on Russian refineries following continued Russian aggression.

Mr. Trump has expressed public frustration with the Ukrainian leader, stating he is not a big fan of Mr. Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, the administration’s move to ease sanctions has faced sharp criticism from a bipartisan coalition of senators, who earlier this week characterized the diesel waivers as a betrayal of the Ukrainian people.

In their appeal to the White House, the senators urged the president to uphold the mandates of the Graham law. They argued that applying economic pressure on Russia and its primary enablers, particularly China, is essential to strengthening the U.S. negotiating position and securing a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)