Trump Waives Certain Russia-Linked Sanctions, Offering India Relief From Potential 100% Tariffs

Trump Waives Russia-Linked Tariff Measures, Citing US National Interest

US President Donald Trump has temporarily waived the enforcement of certain sanctions, restrictions and duties connected to Russian energy exports, invoking a provision in legislation he signed last month. The decision was justified on the grounds of protecting the “national interest” of the United States.

The waiver falls under the Graham Act, legislation championed by the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham to impose punitive measures on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, Trump issued an executive order suspending the application of the specified measures. However, the decision does not revoke the tariffs or sanctions themselves, leaving the administration free to enforce them at a later stage.

“I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” Trump said in the order. He added that he had submitted a certification to Congress stating that granting the waiver at this time was in the US national interest.

Trump Seeks to Ease Pressure on Energy Markets

The move comes a week after Trump reportedly said the United States had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia in an effort to reduce global energy prices, according to the Associated Press.

The latest waiver temporarily puts the relevant measures on hold rather than removing them permanently. Trump can therefore decide to activate the sanctions, restrictions and duties at a later date.

The development is also significant for countries such as India, which have faced the threat of steep US tariffs linked to their purchases of Russian energy. The suspension of specified measures could provide temporary relief, although the extent of any impact would depend on the provisions covered by the waiver and subsequent decisions by the US administration.