- The waiver came days before 100% tariffs could have hit the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, a group that includes India.
- It lasts until US officials decide further action is needed; trade officials will keep monitoring buyers.
- A bipartisan group of US senators had called Trump's earlier diesel waivers 'a betrayal of the people of Ukraine'.
President Trump on 16 October 2026 (US time) issued an order waiving sanctions and tariffs in the Graham Act, days before 100% duties on goods from the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas could have applied to new purchases from 18 October. He certified the waiver as being in the US national interest. It lasts until officials 'determine that further action is appropriate', and trade officials will keep monitoring buyers. The move followed a Trump-Putin deal to release Russian diesel as fuel prices rose.
Indian exporters avoid an immediate 100% extra US tariff, and refiners can keep buying Russian crude without that penalty for now. The Economic Times noted the threat has not disappeared because the waiver can be revisited.
Claim by claim
Trump waived the Graham Act's sanctions and tariffs, certifying the move as in the US national interest.
The White House order and CBS News report the waiver and the national-interest certification.
The White House · CBS NewsThe waiver stays in place until administration officials decide further action is appropriate.
CBS News quotes the order's wording; The Economic Times says it is not a permanent withdrawal.
CBS News · The Economic TimesThe waiver followed a deal between Trump and Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel onto the global market.
NBC News reports the waiver came after Trump announced the diesel deal the previous week; the order itself cites national interests, not the deal.
NBC NewsWhat each side says
The order says the waiver is in the US national interest and directs the US Trade Representative to monitor Russian oil and gas purchases and recommend further action.
The White HouseBefore the waiver, a bipartisan group of senators called the diesel waivers 'a betrayal of the people of Ukraine' and urged Trump to enforce the law's sanctions and tariffs.
CBS NewsNot yet known
- ?Whether and when the US might reinstate the tariffs.
- ?Whether the waiver helps unlock the India-US trade deal, as The Times of India suggested it might.
Sources
5 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.
- The White HouseImplementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- CBS NewsTrump waives tariffs on largest buyers of Russian oil, days before Lindsey Graham-backed law was set to take effect
- The Economic TimesTrump's waiver of Graham law curbs comes as a relief to India, other Russian energy buyers
- NBC NewsTrump waives new Russia sanctions following deal to purchase diesel, citing 'national interests'
- The Times of IndiaTrump waives US sanctions, tariffs on Russian oil & gas - what it means for India
Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.