What Trump’s Graham Act Russia Sanctions Waiver Means

What is the Graham Act?

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is a law passed by Congress and signed by Trump in September. It was designed to penalize Russia for its continuing invasion of Ukraine. ³

The law set out several possible measures. The two parts Trump has now waived involved tariffs: higher duties on Russian goods entering the United States, and tariffs on some countries that buy Russian oil or gas. ³

What did Trump’s waiver change?

Trump signed an executive order late Friday, October 16, waiving those two tariff provisions shortly before they were due to begin. The law’s implementation deadline was two days after the order, according to CNBC. ³

Trump told Congress he had certified that issuing the waiver was in the national interest. The waiver changes whether these particular measures take effect; it is not a cancellation of every U.S. sanction on Russia. ³

Which tariffs were put on hold?

One provision required an increase in duties on imported Russian goods of up to 500%. The other allowed tariffs of up to 100% on countries among the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil or gas, including China and India. ³

These are maximum rates described in the law, not evidence that every relevant product or country would automatically have faced those rates. The available reporting says Trump waived these two parts before implementation. ³

Do existing U.S. sanctions on Russia still apply?

Yes, according to CNBC’s account of the order: earlier sanctions imposed under previous executive orders remain in place. The waiver concerns the two new tariff measures, rather than removing those existing sanctions. ³

The law also contains other possible sanctions provisions, but the supplied reporting does not give enough detail to establish how each might be affected by this order. Readers should not assume that every measure in the act was waived. ³

Why are lawmakers and Ukraine reacting?

The law was passed with bipartisan support, and the waiver drew criticism from some lawmakers, according to ABC News and other reporting. ¹⁴ The sources provided do not identify all the critics or give a full account of their arguments.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision unfortunate and urged support for new U.S. sanctions. PBS reported that he did so without directly criticizing Trump. ² The disagreement reflects differing views about using trade pressure to influence Russia and countries that buy its energy.

What does the waiver mean now?

For now, the two specified tariff measures will not begin on the timetable set by the law. The pause means the new duties on Russian imports and the additional tariffs on certain energy-buying countries are not taking effect as planned. ³

The sources do not establish whether the administration may later end the waiver, pursue different measures, or seek further action from Congress. The practical effect will depend on any later decisions and on the sanctions that remain in force.