Trump Waives Key Russia-Related Sanctions, Tariffs before They Take Effect under New Law
WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump waived key Russia-related US 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.
President Donald Trump waived key US sanctions and tariffs related to Russia days before they were set to take effect under a new law he signed last month. The waiver, which came in an executive order released by the White House, was deemed beneficial to the US's national interests. The law aims to increase pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
However, Trump's administration has been increasingly warm towards Moscow while publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, even suggesting that Kyiv needs a new leader. These measures, set to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from Russia's top oil importers and any country helping Russia evade sanctions, could have exacerbated rising oil prices as Americans faced increased costs attributable to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The legislation, backed primarily by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was set to impose these tariffs within 30 days of the law's enactment or on any country that bought oil or gas 30 days later. The waiver remains in effect until Trump or his top officials decide further action is warranted. The law allows the president to waive sanctions by informing Congress that they are not in the nation's interest.
Trump's waiver has faced criticism from lawmakers, including several Republicans, and even faced backlash from US Representative Don Beyer, who accused Trump of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin and betraying Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
