Trump suspends Russia sanctions and tariffs on oil and gas buyers

President Donald Trump suspended major US sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia just days before they were set to take effect, citing national interests in an executive order issued Friday. The suspended measures included tariffs on Russian goods and penalties against countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, part of the Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026. The law aimed to pressure Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with tariffs up to 100% on imports from top Russian energy buyers. Critics, including Democratic Representative Don Beyer, accused Trump of surrendering to Vladimir Putin and betraying Ukraine. China and India had opposed the sanctions, while Trump faced bipartisan criticism over a separate diesel agreement with Russia.