New Russia sanctions and tariffs paused as Trump signs order waiving Graham law penalties

Order signed before deadline

Trump signed the executive order on Friday, two days before the law’s Oct. 18 deadline. The law had required new sanctions and tariffs against Russia to take effect.

The order lifts provisions that limited the president’s ability to remove sanctions and required a range of new penalties. Its timing means those requirements will not take effect as scheduled.

Existing sanctions remain

The order does not end sanctions already imposed against Russia. Instead, it changes how the administration can handle sanctions going forward. Without the law’s requirements binding its decisions, the administration has greater leeway to determine which restrictions to maintain. The move also prevents the law’s new sanctions and penalties from taking effect on the deadline.

Story remains developing

The law is named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The executive order effectively neutralizes its provisions on Russia sanctions and tariffs. The report described the story as developing and said updates may follow.