17 October 2026, US: US President Donald Trump’s executive order implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 provides for a 500% increase in duties on Russian goods and potential 100% increases on goods from major importers of Russian-origin oil and natural gas and leading facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion. The order also establishes monitoring requirements and waives certain duties, sanctions and restrictions, subject to specified conditions.
1. What is the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026?
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is a US law signed by President Donald Trump on September 18, 2026. It provides for certain sanctions, restrictions and duties on goods imported into the United States from Russia and certain other countries.
2. What does Trump’s executive order on Russia sanctions provide?
The executive order, dated October 16, 2026, provides for increased duties on Russian goods and additional duty increases targeting certain major importers of Russian-origin oil and natural gas and countries facilitating the evasion of Russian oil sanctions. These measures are subject to specified exceptions and waivers.
3. By how much will duties on Russian goods increase?
The order states that the rate of duty on goods from Russia shall increase by 500%, subject to the exceptions provided under the legislation and the waivers issued in the order.
4. Will countries purchasing Russian oil and natural gas face higher US duties?
The order provides for a 100% increase in duties on goods from the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas if they knowingly make new purchases of these commodities on or after October 18, 2026. The increase is subject to statutory exceptions and the specified waivers.
5. What action does the order prescribe against countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion?
The order provides for a 100% increase in duties on goods from the five leading facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion, subject to the applicable exceptions and waivers.
6. Will the additional duties apply alongside existing US tariffs?
Yes. The order states that the duty increases will apply in addition to other applicable duties, fees, taxes and charges, including those imposed under specified US trade laws.
7. Has Trump waived any provisions of the Graham Act?
Yes. The order waives the application of certain duties, sanctions and restrictions established under the Graham Act. Trump stated that he had submitted a certification to Congress confirming that the waivers were in the national interests of the United States, along with a report explaining the basis for the certification.
8. How long will the waivers remain in effect?
The waivers will remain in effect until the President or the Secretary of State, in consultation with relevant officials where required, determines that further action is appropriate.
9. Will existing US sanctions against Russia be affected by the waivers?
The order states that the waivers do not affect sanctions or other measures imposed under specified executive orders addressing harmful foreign activities of the Russian government, including measures in effect before the Graham Act was enacted.
10. Which US agencies will monitor compliance and developments?
The US Trade Representative will work with the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Energy to monitor purchases of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas and activities facilitating sanctions evasion. The Trade Representative will report relevant developments to the President and provide recommendations for further action.
11. Can the US introduce further measures under the order?
The order provides for continued monitoring and allows relevant officials to inform the President of circumstances that may indicate the need for further action, including changes to the waivers.
12. Does the executive order specify the final tariff treatment of every product and trading partner?
No. The order establishes duty increases subject to statutory exceptions and waivers, but it does not specify the final tariff treatment of every individual product or trading partner.
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