U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday but immediately abandoned sweeping new tariffs and sanctions on Russia, a week after announcing a deal with Moscow to increase supplies of Russian diesel.
The order signed by Trump first imposed 500% tariffs on Russian goods and then blocked 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and natural gas and countries that help Russia evade oil sanctions.
“I have submitted to Congress a certification that it is in the national interest of the United States to issue such a waiver at this time,” Trump’s order said.
Friday’s order comes into effect Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026Trump signed it into law on September 18. The bill expands U.S. sanctions and tariff authority against Russia, specifically targeting its energy trade.
His order comes a week after a diesel deal with Russia was struck on Oct. 9, under which Moscow will provide additional supplies to the U.S. and global markets. The Treasury Department subsequently issued temporary relief for certain transactions of Russian-origin diesel.
What Trump’s Russia order does
The legislation is aimed at putting economic pressure not only on Moscow but also on countries that continue to support its energy exports. The congressional provisions cover sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions and state-controlled entities, restrictions involving Russia’s energy sector and increased tariffs on Russian goods.
The Basic Law also extends the Iran Sanctions Act. The White House said that when Trump signed the bill, it expanded both measures against Russia and existing sanctions on Iran.
Why Trump gave up on new tariffs
Trump’s order said he determined it was in the national interest to temporarily waive the measures and submitted required certification and support reports to Congress.
A legal analysis published after the law was enacted said the law provides the president with significant flexibility, including the power to impose tariffs on major purchasers of Russian-origin oil or natural gas and on countries that assist Russia in evading oil sanctions.
The executive order says the exemptions will continue until Trump or the secretary of state, in consultation with other administration officials, determines that further action should be taken.
The order also makes clear that the waivers will not undo Russian sanctions already in place under previous executive orders.
Countries buying Russian energy could face 100% tariffs
The order could put some of Russia’s largest energy customers in the government’s crosshairs.
If the exemption is lifted, New Russian Energy purchased on or after October 18 could face 100% tariffs on goods. It separately provides for 100% tariffs on goods from five countries seen as the biggest promoters of Russian oil sanctions evasion, which are also exempt.
Legislation enacted by Congress authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on purchases of Russian energy from covered countries and establishes similar mechanisms for countries that assist in evading sanctions.
The executive order itself does not specify which countries will be subject to these measures. Instead, it directs government officials to monitor Russian energy purchases and sanctions evasion activities and report findings to the president.
Trump’s Russian diesel deal
Friday’s move comes a week after Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase supplies of Russian diesel to the U.S. and global markets.
Trump said he reached the diesel deal with Russia to reduce costs.
“We need oil in the world and this is diesel, that’s what we need, so we’re happy to get it,” Trump told reporters the day the deal was announced.
But the deal has drawn criticism from lawmakers who question how easing restrictions on Russian energy aligns with recent efforts by Congress to step up economic pressure on Moscow.
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said on
The executive order issued Friday does not specifically mention diesel, and there is no clear causal link between the diesel agreement and the broader exemption.
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