Washington, Oct 17: US President Donald Trump has waived tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil or gas, along with specified sanctions provisions under a new law targeting Moscow, citing the national interest of the United States.
In an executive order signed on Friday night, Trump waived the application of specified sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, days after striking a deal with Russia for the supply of diesel to the US and global markets. “I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” Trump said.
Trump said he had submitted a certification to Congress stating that issuing the waiver at this time was in the national interest of the United States.
US Senator Richard Blumenthal criticised the move in a post on X. “These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, & everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin. I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in condemning this craven, cowardly action,” he said.
The Graham Act empowered Trump to impose sweeping sanctions on Moscow and tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported into the US from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas, including China and India. The law was passed by the US Congress on September 16 and signed into law by Trump two days later. It authorised Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas.
The executive order waives the duties provided for in Sections 112 and 113 of the Act or the order. The waiver covers the new tariffs targeting the five largest purchasers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas, as well as the corresponding tariffs on countries facilitating Russian sanctions evasion. But it does not affect other US tariffs that may otherwise apply to imports from those countries.
“Pursuant to section 115(a) of the Graham Act, I hereby waive the application of any duties provided for in sections 112 and 113 of the Graham Act or this order,” Trump said.
Section 115 of the Act allows the President to waive sanctions provisions, restrictions and duties in the national interest. (PTI)