Trump waives Russian diesel tariffs while keeping sanction authority

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration is waiving the sweeping tariffs and sanctions targeting Russian diesel, citing national interests and a new supply agreement with President Vladimir Putin.

Trump said he formally notified Congress and submitted a certification that the waiver serves the United States’ national interests. The decision follows a deal in which Russia will release millions of tons of diesel into international markets, a move the White House hopes will ease rising fuel costs that have strained American farmers, truckers and businesses.

The waiver comes just weeks after Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, legislation that authorized up to 100 percent tariffs on goods from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. While the new executive order suspends those measures for diesel, it does not eliminate existing sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders, and it preserves the president’s authority to reinstate penalties if circumstances warrant.

Republicans have highlighted the need to lower energy prices ahead of November’s midterm elections, framing fuel affordability as a critical economic issue for voters. By opening the door to Russian diesel, the administration aims to provide short‑term relief while retaining leverage over Moscow.

The supply deal is expected to add roughly two percent of U.S. daily diesel demand, according to the administration’s estimates. Analysts note that the actual impact on prices remains uncertain, given Russia’s domestic fuel rationing and the limited volume relative to U.S. consumption.

The move also arrives amid heightened criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Trump urging Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. Despite the waiver, the United States continues to enforce existing sanctions against Russia from previous executive orders.

In the coming weeks, the administration will monitor the diesel deliveries and market response, ready to adjust policy if the waiver does not achieve the intended price relief or if geopolitical conditions shift.