[REVISION HISTORY]

Trump suspends Graham Act sanctions on Russian energy

Updated 74 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-17 14:03 UTC → 2026-10-19 02:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to suspend and waive key sanctions and tariffs established under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The measures, which were set to take effect on October 18, included 500% tariffs on direct Russian imports and up to 100% secondary tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian energy, such as China and India. Citing the ‘national interest,’ the administration justified the waiver through a deal to purchase Russian diesel to stabilize global energy prices. The arrangement involves Russia supplying ~~300,000 tonnes in October, 500,000 tonnes in November, and 1 million tonnes in~~ specific monthly quantities of diesel through December, with an additional 3 million tonnes expected to follow. The U.S. Treasury Department has granted a specific exemption for these measures valid until April 7. Prior to the suspension, the Graham Act faced significant legislative and diplomatic tension. The ~~policy shift has drawn intense criticism.~~ bill passed the Senate with an 86-11 vote, targeting nations facilitating the evasion of Russian oil sanctions, which placed India—the second-largest buyer of Russian crude—in the crosshairs. Ukrainian ~~President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned~~ officials, including sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk, urged Congress to advance the ~~waiver undermines~~ measure to maintain pressure on ~~Moscow~~ Moscow. During the period leading to ~~end~~ the ~~war, while~~ suspension, U.S. ~~Representative Richard Blumenthal argued~~ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that the ~~exemptions are intended~~ United States had sought to ~~‘please Vladimir Putin.’~~ have European allies impose secondary sanctions on India and China, though European partners rejected the proposal. The administration characterized the current pause on tariffs as a 60-day window to assess the global economic impact of such measures amidst energy supply pressures. Despite the suspension of these specific Graham Act provisions, existing U.S. sanctions against Russia remain in place. ~~Amidst these developments, the administration noted that negotiations with Russia and China regarding nuclear arsenal reduction are continuing following the expiration of the New START treaty.~~

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