Move expected to boost Russian diesel imports

Midterm elections seen as factor in timing

US President Donald Trump speaks at a MAGA Inc. super PAC dinner at Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday (local time). [Reuters]
US President Donald Trump speaks at a MAGA Inc. super PAC dinner at Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday (local time). [Reuters]

US President Donald Trump announced he would waive a significant portion of the anti-Russia sanctions provisions under a newly enacted law that imposes steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy, a move widely seen as an effort to boost Russian diesel supplies and lower fuel prices ahead of midterm elections.

Trump announced Friday (local time) through the White House website that he was exercising his waiver authority over the sanctions, restrictions and tariffs prescribed by the "Lindsey O. Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act," which he had signed last month. "Granting such a waiver is in the national interest of the United States at this time," he said.

The Graham Act was enacted at the initiative of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (1955–2026) in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Trump signed the legislation on Sept. 18, with its provisions set to take effect 30 days after signing. Friday's announcement means a large portion of those provisions will not be enforced.

The law's centerpiece is a tariff of up to 100 percent on all goods entering the United States from the top five importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. It was designed to target Russia's energy export revenues while imposing trade penalties on the purchasing countries as well.

Reuters reported that countries knowingly purchasing Russian oil or gas, as well as the top five nations helping Russia evade sanctions, were also set to face tariffs once the 30-day period elapsed. China, India and Turkey are among the primary buyers of Russian crude.

The law also included sanctions against numerous Russian institutions and provisions imposing tariffs of up to 500 percent on certain Russian goods entering the United States, including energy products.

High diesel prices in the United States and the approaching midterm election calendar are seen as the driving factors behind the decision to suspend enforcement. Trump announced Thursday that he planned to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to US and international markets — a plan that would have been difficult to execute had the Graham Act taken effect.

Trump has recently adopted a markedly friendlier posture toward Russia. He publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in recent weeks, going so far as to suggest that Ukraine needs new leadership.


spa@heraldcorp.com