Overview
- The president signed an executive order Friday invoking Section 115 of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act to waive multiple sanctions, duties and tariffs that were due to begin under the law by Oct. 18.
- The Treasury's OFAC General Licence No. 135 that permits transactions in Russian-origin diesel remains active and the administration has an announced arrangement for immediate Russian diesel shipments to help ease U.S. fuel prices.
- Lawmakers from both parties have sharply criticized the move, with bipartisan letters demanding full implementation of the law, revocation of diesel permissions and written answers from the White House by the statutory deadline.
- The order leaves the waivers in place until the president or designated officials decide otherwise and directs agencies including USTR, State and Treasury to monitor imports, report on evasion and recommend further action.
- The pause removes immediate pressure on major buyers of Russian energy such as India, China and Türkiye, eases a potential trade clash and raises concerns that short-term relief in diesel costs could bolster Kremlin revenues and strain U.S.-Ukraine relations.