Waived new sanctions and tariffs on Russia days before they were due to begin

What happened

The law directed new penalties targeting Russian officials, banks and oil trade, and tariffs on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. Its provisions were set to take effect in October, but the law also expressly permits presidential waivers after certification to Congress. Trump's order waived the new duties and several sanctions provisions without a fixed end date, leaving action to a future presidential or delegated decision.

The order says earlier sanctions imposed under other executive orders remain unaffected. The move followed Trump's announced agreement to import Russian diesel to lower energy prices, which is covered separately in Exhibit 149.

On Oct. 17, Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis criticized the waiver, as did Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said reducing pressure would encourage Russia to keep attacking Ukraine. No court has ruled that using the waiver violated the act.

Where it stands

Criticized: there is no reported ruling finding the waiver unlawful. The act expressly authorizes waivers with a national interest certification and report to Congress. The White House said it submitted that certification and report. The objections reported come from lawmakers in both parties and from Ukraine, not from a court or official legal finding.

The administration's side

The president invoked the national interest waiver authority written into the act and told Congress the waivers serve U.S. interests. He has said he wants to lower fuel costs and end the war in Ukraine, and his administration says it is pursuing talks with Russia and Ukraine. The publicly released order does not give the full reasoning from its report to Congress.

Sources

• White House (executive order)
• AP
• Reuters
• The Washington Post
• AP via Local 10 (congressional reactions)