NEW | On September 18, Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, legislation…
Armed Conflict · · Russia
NEW | On September 18, Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, legislation designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
The measures included:
• Tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports.
• 100% tariffs targeting major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including countries helping Moscow evade sanctions.
• New restrictions affecting Russian financial institutions, energy interests and individuals connected to the government.
Many of these measures were approaching implementation.
Then, on October 16, Trump signed an executive order invoking Section 115 of the same law, allowing the president to waive sanctions when deemed in the US national interest.
So what changes in practice?
The new tariffs and numerous additional sanctions will not be applied for now. Existing US sanctions against Russia remain in place.
The waiver also has no fixed expiration date. The administration can reconsider it later.
Only days earlie, Washington had reached an arrangement involving Russian diesel supplies, intended to help ease pressure on global fuel markets.
And the wider energy situation is already under considerable strain because of the war involving Iran and disruptions around Hormuz.
One possible explanation is that Washington wants to avoid imposing additional economic pressure that could push energy prices higher, particularly ahead of November's US midterm elections..
Another is that Trump wants to preserve flexibility for negotiations with Moscow.
The executive order cites national interests without publicly detailing the underlying calculation.
Meanwhile, Ukraine argues that reducing sanctions pressure will encourage Russia to continue its military campaign. Moscow has welcomed the decision.
Additional sanctions could constrain Russian revenues and increase pressure on Moscow but tariffs targeting major energy importers could also create costs for American consumers and complicate relations with countries such as India and china.
By suspending them, Washington avoids those immediate risks but also postpones a potential source of additional economic leverage.
Whether that becomes a temporary tactical decision or a more lasting change in US policy will depend on what Washington does next.
Source: @GeoInsider
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