Trump's Russia Sanctions Waiver Gives India, Other Buyers Temporary Relief

President Trump waived sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia under the Graham Act on October 17, providing relief to major Russian energy buyers like India, China, and Turkey while avoiding immediate trade confrontations. The waiver suspends punitive measures that could have imposed tariffs up to 100% on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude, with a deadline expiring October 18. The decision balances US pressure on Moscow against record-high domestic diesel prices ahead of midterm elections. India, which imported $40.8 billion of Russian crude in FY2026, avoids a damaging tariff escalation, though future threats remain. The waiver may cause friction in Congress, where bipartisan senators had urged enforcement of the law championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.