NEW YORK, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, waiving major energy tariffs and sanctions on Russia mandated by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, just days before the act takes effect.
"I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States," Trump said in the order.
The action freezes upcoming tariffs of up to 100 percent that were slated to hit the top five importers of Russian crude oil and gas, as well as restrictions aimed at Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and energy and defense sectors.
The move came after Trump struck an agreement with Russia to release more Russian diesel into global markets and announced an energy infrastructure ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Under the agreement, Russia could "immediately" begin supplying 300,000 tons of diesel, an additional 500,000 tons in November and then 1 million tons "immediately thereafter," local media quoted Trump as saying on Friday. Meanwhile, Washington has agreed to purchase diesel fuel from Russia to help lower global energy prices.
The move also marks Trump's efforts to lower fuel prices before the U.S. midterm election in early November.
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in mid-September. The act was named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
The legislation has authorized up to 100 percent tariffs on goods imported into the United States from the top five buyers of Russian crude oil or gas, and broader financial sanctions and energy restrictions targeting Russia. ■
