Market Flux Event
Trump Invokes Waiver to Nullify Russia Energy Tariffs and Sanctions Required by Law He Signed Last Month
Read this in the Market Flux appPresident Donald Trump waived sweeping tariffs and sanctions on Russian energy exports mandated by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a law he signed on September 18, 2026, just days before those measures were set to take effect. Trump invoked a waiver clause built into the legislation to roll back the requirements, citing his push to lower diesel prices ahead of the November midterm elections.
The Lindsey O. Graham Act, named for the late senator who championed it before his death in July 2026, passed the Senate 86-11 and the House with broad bipartisan support. The law authorizes tariffs of up to 100 percent on major importers of Russian energy and expands statutory sanctions and prohibitions targeting Russia and Iran. Trump's executive order, dated October 16, 2026, triggered the act's waiver provision to suspend those energy-focused measures.
The move came days after Trump announced a separate deal with Russia to supply diesel fuel to global markets, a step critics and a bipartisan group of senators said conflicted with existing restrictions on Russian oil imports. Wholesale diesel prices have more than doubled in 2026, and Trump has framed the Russia energy opening as an affordability measure, though energy analysts have said it is unlikely to move near-term prices significantly. The decision has drawn bipartisan blowback with midterm voting imminent.
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Sources
- FirstSquawkTrump Rolls Back Some Measures Targeting Russia Under the “Graham Law”
- InvestingTrump waives many Russia-related sanctions, tariffs before they were to take effect under new law
- PolymarketJUST IN: President Trump waives major Russia sanctions and tariffs under the Lindsey Graham Act just days before they were set to take effect.
- ReutersTrump waives many Russia-related sanctions, tariffs before they were to take effect under new law
- APBREAKING: President Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying a waiver is in the U.S. national interest.
- Ny TimesTrump Signs Order Exempting Russia From Sanctions Legislation
- BusinessPresident Donald Trump waived massive tariffs linked to Russian energy exports mandated in a law that he signed last month, as the measures complicated his push to lower diesel prices ahead of the US midterm elections
- Fox BusinessTrump waives many Russian sanctions, tariffs under new law backed by Lindsey Graham
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- Financial TimesTrump exempts Russia from further sanctions mandated by new law
- CnnbrkPresident Donald Trump waived Russia-related sanctions days before they were to take effect under a bill he signed into law last month.
- BullTheoryioBREAKING: 🇺🇸 President Trump signs an executive order waiving certain Russia sanctions under the Lindsey Graham Act just weeks after signing the law.
- ThehillTrump waives Russian sanctions outlined in Graham Act before they take effect
- WsjTrump Waives Most Russia Sanctions Passed by Congress
- Cointelegraph🇺🇸🇷🇺 HUGE: Trump waives key Russia sanctions and up to 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil and gas, just days before they were set to kick in under a law he signed last month.
- MarketsdayTrump waives sanctions tied to Russian oil, easing 100% tariff threat on India - Trump waived Russia and Iran sanctions citing national interest. - The move eases pressure on major Russian energy buyers like India. - Waiver aims to cut US fuel prices ahead of elections.
- Unusual_WhalesBREAKING: President Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying a waiver is in the U.S. national interest.
- FINANCIERNEWSTrump Exempts Russia From New Sanctions Despite Law Mandating Fresh Penalties, Raising Questions Over Enforcement $USO
- RedboxWireUKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: EXEMPTING MOSCOW FROM US SANCTIONS IS A REWARD FOR PUTIN, AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM EUROPE AND AMERICA IS ESSENTIAL FOR US.
- KalshiJUST IN: Zelensky says exempting Moscow from US sanctions is a "reward for Putin"
- CnbcTrump waives broad new Russia sanctions and tariffs under Graham Act, citing national interest