Trump’s Russia sanctions waiver draws bipartisan Senate backlash

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, October 16, 2026, suspending key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, triggering criticism from lawmakers in both parties, Foxbusiness reported. The law, which Trump signed last month, had authorized tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported from major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

Aljazeera reported that the waivers were issued days before the restrictions were due to take effect, and that Trump said the suspension served the ‘national interests of the United States.’ The order did not set a date for the restrictions to begin, leaving them suspended until the president or senior officials decide otherwise.

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Key facts

• Trump signed the executive order on Friday, October 16, 2026, waiving certain Russia-related sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, which he signed into law last month.
• Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called the decision ‘beyond irresponsible’ and noted the underlying bill passed the Senate 86-11.
• Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News: ‘I wish the president hadn’t done it. I think it was a mistake.’
• According to Aljazeera, Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who championed the legislation, ‘would be appalled.’
• Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced legislation to block the separate diesel deal with Russia, Aljazeera reported.

Republicans break ranks

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley reposted Fox Business’ reporting on the order and described it as a defining decision, writing on X that it was ‘a terrible misjudgment of Putin, who has made it clear he wants to destroy the West.’ Cruz, speaking Saturday on Fox News, acknowledged that Trump was likely focused on rising diesel and gasoline prices, and said he would tell the president not to waive the sanctions.

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who took over her late brother’s seat, told reporters she would keep the pressure on Moscow. ‘Because I don’t trust Putin and I don’t trust Russia,’ she said, according to Reuters as cited by Foxbusiness.

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Democrats and Kyiv push back

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who helped draft the Graham Act, said the waivers had nothing to do with national security and accused the administration of conceding to Putin. Aljazeera reported that Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts accused Trump of ‘thumbing his nose’ at Congress and urged colleagues to act to reverse the decision, while Rep. Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said the move betrayed Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X on Saturday that easing pressure would encourage further attacks. ‘Financial rewards for Putin – all of this only encourages him to keep attacking,’ he posted, according to Aljazeera; Foxbusiness reported that he also said the decision ‘definitely helps only the Russians.’

Why it matters

The waiver removes, at least temporarily, the main tariff lever Congress built into the Graham Act, which was designed to punish buyers of Russian energy. It lands as fuel costs rise, tied to the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, and follows a deal in which Russia would release millions of tons of diesel into global markets. Lawmakers from both parties have questioned whether that arrangement will meaningfully lower energy costs while still funding Moscow’s war effort. Because Congress is in recess until after the November 3 midterm elections, Aljazeera reported, immediate legislative challenges are limited.

What to watch

Attention turns to whether the administration sets a date for the suspended restrictions to take effect, and to any move in Congress to counter the waiver or the diesel deal once lawmakers return after the midterms. Trump, asked Saturday about the decision, said: ‘A lot of you don’t know what my decision is yet, but we’ll figure it out.’

Written by

Benjamin

Benjamin Carter covers business, finance, and the stock market for StockPil, focusing on the trends and data that matter to everyday investors.

Sources: Fox Business, Aljazeera