On 16 October 2026 Trump waived the Graham Act sanctions due to take effect on 18 October, including tariffs of up to 500% on Russian goods and up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas; sanctions under earlier executive orders remain.

Used as evidence for

• The waiver can be withdrawn at any time, so the pressure is held in reserve rather than given up.

  Supports

• Tariffs of up to 100% on the biggest buyers of Russian oil would hit US trading partners and push fuel prices even higher.

  Supports

• Sanctions from earlier executive orders stay in place, so Russia is not released from pressure.

  Supports