Trump Signs Order Exempting Russia From New Sanctions Legislation – The Moscow Times

Trump Signs Order Exempting Russia From New Sanctions Legislation  The Moscow Times

President Donald Trump waived key Russia-related U.S. sanctions and tariffs days before they were to take effect under a law he signed last month, including duties on the country's goods and penalties for buying its oil and gas. In an executive order released by the White House on Friday, Trump said the waiver was in the national interest of the United States. The law is meant to increase pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump, however, has been warming to Moscow while publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including suggesting Kyiv needs a new leader. Weeks before U.S. midterm elections in which Trump's Republicans are battling to maintain their narrow grip on both chambers of Congress, the new measures could have risked further raising oil prices as Americans face increased costs largely attributed to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, analysts have said.

The legislation, whose primary backer in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on all goods brought into the U.S. from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as any country that knowingly bought oil or gas 30 days after the law was enacted or was among the top five countries helping Russia evade