Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order waiving the application of sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act — sparing countries such as India and China from potential tariffs of up to 100 per cent on their purchases of Russian oil and gas.
Waiver comes days before the deadline
Trump signed the order on Friday evening, days before the new law's measures were due to take effect, with the 30-day trigger period concluding on Sunday, October 18. He also submitted a certification to Congress stating that the waiver is in the national interest of the United States.
The waiver specifically covers duties under Sections 112 and 113 of the Act, which targeted the five largest importers of Russian crude and gas that continued buying, and also allowed duties of up to 500 per cent on Russian goods. The law, named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was assented to on September 18 after clearing the Senate on August 7 and the House on September 16.
Relief for India's energy security
India had repeatedly said it would safeguard the energy security of its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing, and warned that the sanctions could damage bilateral ties and roil global energy markets. The waiver removes the immediate threat of punitive US tariffs on India's Russian oil imports.
The relief is limited: only the new Graham Act measures are waived, while earlier US sanctions on Russia imposed under previous executive orders remain in force.
A warmer posture towards Moscow
The move continues Trump's warmer line on Moscow, following his recent agreement with President Vladimir Putin on Russian diesel returning to markets and his public criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The shift has drawn criticism from those who see inconsistency in the administration's foreign policy.
Sources: Big relief for India? Trump waives many Russia-related sanctions, tariffs — The Week | Trump puts on hold law allowing 100% tariffs on India, other countries for buying Russian oil — Scroll | Trump waives Russia sanctions, tariffs under Graham Act; India gets relief — Mathrubhumi English
Waiver comes days before the deadline
Trump signed the order on Friday evening, days before the new law's measures were due to take effect, with the 30-day trigger period concluding on Sunday, October 18. He also submitted a certification to Congress stating that the waiver is in the national interest of the United States.
The waiver specifically covers duties under Sections 112 and 113 of the Act, which targeted the five largest importers of Russian crude and gas that continued buying, and also allowed duties of up to 500 per cent on Russian goods. The law, named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was assented to on September 18 after clearing the Senate on August 7 and the House on September 16.
Relief for India's energy security
India had repeatedly said it would safeguard the energy security of its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing, and warned that the sanctions could damage bilateral ties and roil global energy markets. The waiver removes the immediate threat of punitive US tariffs on India's Russian oil imports.
The relief is limited: only the new Graham Act measures are waived, while earlier US sanctions on Russia imposed under previous executive orders remain in force.
A warmer posture towards Moscow
The move continues Trump's warmer line on Moscow, following his recent agreement with President Vladimir Putin on Russian diesel returning to markets and his public criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The shift has drawn criticism from those who see inconsistency in the administration's foreign policy.
Sources: Big relief for India? Trump waives many Russia-related sanctions, tariffs — The Week | Trump puts on hold law allowing 100% tariffs on India, other countries for buying Russian oil — Scroll | Trump waives Russia sanctions, tariffs under Graham Act; India gets relief — Mathrubhumi English
