Trump Pauses New Sanctions on Russia
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday suspending a new package of sanctions targeting Russia, two days before the law’s implementation deadline. He told Congress the pause was in the U.S. national interest. The White House did not immediately explain that assessment publicly, although it said a report outlining the decision had been submitted to lawmakers.
Trump signed the legislation last month after it passed Congress with bipartisan support. Named for the late South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, the law was intended to increase economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine. Graham had advocated tougher sanctions as a way to push Moscow toward ending the fighting.
The measures target Russian officials, banks and tankers used to transport Russian energy. They also direct the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas, subject to an exception for some countries that have reduced their reliance on Russian gas.
The suspension follows Trump’s announcement last week of an agreement for Russia to supply diesel to the United States. Trump said the arrangement could help lower energy prices. Critics from both parties argued that buying Russian fuel could provide Moscow with resources for its war in Ukraine. The sanctions decision comes ahead of the Nov. 3 congressional elections, as the administration faces scrutiny over energy costs.
Democratic Representative Don Beyer, who had opposed the bill during debate, called for Congress to revise it following the suspension. In South Carolina, Senator Darline Graham, who was appointed to complete her late brother’s term and is running for election, has made the sanctions a campaign issue. During a debate earlier in the week, she said the law gave the president tools to use at his discretion. For now, the sanctions remain on hold, and the administration has not publicly detailed how it reached its national-interest determination.