US waives new Graham Act sanctions and tariffs: the limits of the order
The 16 October order does not lift all sanctions on Russia. What it says about the scope and duration of the waivers.
The executive order signed by Donald Trump on 16 October 2026 provides waivers from new Graham Act sanctions, restrictions and tariffs. The White House published the full text.
What is waived
Section 4 waives duties under sections 112 and 113 of the act and specified sanctions and restrictions, including those under section 102(d). The president says he submitted the required certification and report to Congress, citing the US national interest.
Section 2 of the same order describes additional tariffs of 500% on Russian goods and 100% on specified categories of third countries, but expressly subjects them to section 4’s waivers. Those rates are therefore not presented as new charges being activated by this action.
What remains, and for how long
Section 4(b) expressly leaves pre-existing sanctions under specified executive orders addressing harmful foreign activities of the Russian government unaffected, including persons already sanctioned under them. This is not a blanket lifting of the US sanctions regime.
No fixed expiry date is set. The waivers remain until the president or secretary of state determines that further action is appropriate, with the prescribed consultations. The order also retains monitoring of Russian energy purchases and sanctions evasion; it does not repeal the act itself.
English translation of the Greek edition · Read in Greek