Trump lifts Russia sanctions and tariffs imposed under Graham law

President Donald Trump announced late Friday that he is lifting nearly all sanctions and tariffs on Russia imposed under the Lindsey Graham law, which he had signed just a month earlier. Sanctions against Iran remain in place. The executive order, published on the White House website, states that Trump has formally notified Congress that removing these measures serves U.S. national interests. The announcement came ahead of the October 18 deadline for congressional notification. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who co-authored the law with Graham, condemned the move as appeasing Vladimir Putin rather than protecting U.S. security. Trump's decision was announced late Friday evening, a timing often used for unpopular announcements, with further such moves expected before the new Congress convenes in January.