Trump’s latest move delivers another blow to the EU, Ukraine, and Zelenskyy. A White House statement released on the 16th confirmed that U.S. President Trump signed an executive order that lifts multiple sanctions against Russia. The order suspends most provisions of the *Graham Act on Sanctions Against Russia and Iran for 2026*.
The impact is significant—Zelenskyy may now find himself stunned. But this is not simply a signal of abandoning Ukraine. On October 16, Trump issued the executive order suspending the majority of key provisions in the Graham Act—including a 500% tariff on Russian goods exported to the United States, a 100% tariff on major importers of Russian energy, and sanctions targeting the Russian central bank and major financial institutions—all placed on hold.
The bill was signed into law by Trump himself on September 18. It passed the Senate with 86 votes in favor and the House with 262 votes, reflecting overwhelming bipartisan support. Yet less than a month later, on October 16, he personally suspended its core measures. The law remains intact, but its enforcement has been paused. Trump invoked a provision he had advocated for during the bill’s drafting—the presidential waiver authority—which allows the president to suspend implementation if deemed “in the national interest.” In effect, he reserved the right to reverse course from the outset.
Why did Trump take this step? By late September, the average U.S. diesel price had surged to a record high of $6.52 per gallon, a rise exceeding 70% year-on-year. Truck drivers, farmers, and logistics operators—key constituents in Trump’s base—have been vocal in their criticism. The most consequential aspect of the Graham Act is its “secondary tariffs,” which authorize the U.S. to impose up to a 100% tariff on the top five importing countries of Russian oil and gas (including India and China).
This effectively forces nations like China and India to choose between purchasing Russian energy and maintaining access to the American market. Trump’s calculation appears to be twofold: he aims to pursue direct diesel trade with Putin while avoiding a simultaneous trade conflict with both China and India. Congress sought to bind him to a comprehensive sanctions regime against Russia; he responded by hitting the brakes. In reality, Washington’s commitments to Ukraine are subject to a shelf life—specifically, the next midterm election cycle. When domestic political currents shift, allies’ trust evaporates as quickly as diesel vaporizes under pressure.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879273374603340/
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