US President Donald Trump has announced he is waiving several massive sanctions, restrictions and duties just days before they were set to take effect. The US leader had signed the bill into law just last month. The executive order on Friday, October 16 comes as Mr Trump appears to be increasingly warming toward Russia, while issuing scathing attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Details of the waived sanctions
The legislation provides for additional tariffs of 500% on goods imported into the US from Russia, 100% on goods imported from the five biggest facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion and 100% on goods imported from the five largest importers of Russian oil and natural gas if they knowingly make new purchases on or after October 18, 2026.
Mr Trump signed the act into law on September 18.
Legal basis for the waiver
Friday's executive order explained that the president can waive the application of any sanctions provision subject to the submission to the Congress of a written certification that such a waiver is in the national interests of America and a report explaining the basis for the certification.
It continued to say, "I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act. I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States."
Rift with Zelensky deepens
The announcement follows an attack on Mr Zelensky earlier this week when Mr Trump branded him "not a good guy".
The two leaders are in the worst rift in months after Mr Trump announced that Mr Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately "to the American and global marketplace" followed by several other shipments.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform at the time: "I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter. Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel.
"Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement."
Mr Zelensky was furious. He accused Mr Trump of handing the Kremlin a "gift" and prolonging the war. He wrote in a post on social media that the deal "plays into Russia's hands - allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world."
