The executive order also provides for a 100% increase in duties on goods from major buyers of Russian oil and gas and countries facilitating sanctions evasion, subject to specified conditions and waivers.
17 October 2026, US: US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, setting out higher tariffs on Russian goods and potential additional duties targeting countries purchasing Russian oil and natural gas or facilitating the evasion of sanctions on Russian oil.
The order, dated October 16 and published by the White House on October 17, follows the signing of the Graham Act into law on September 18, 2026. The legislation provides for sanctions against certain foreign persons, restrictions and duties on goods imported into the United States from Russia and certain other countries.
Under the order, the rate of duty on goods from Russia is to increase by 500%, subject to statutory exceptions and presidential waivers. It also 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 those commodities on or after October 18, 2026.
A separate provision calls for a 100% increase in duties on goods from the five leading facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion. These measures are subject to exceptions under the legislation and the waivers specified in the executive order.
The order states that the additional duties would apply alongside other applicable duties, taxes, fees and charges.
Despite the proposed tariff increases, the order waives the application of several duties, sanctions and restrictions established under the Graham Act. Trump said he had submitted a certification to Congress stating that the waivers were in the national interests of the United States, along with a report explaining the basis for that determination.
The waivers will remain in effect until the President or the Secretary of State, in consultation with the relevant officials where required, determines that further action is appropriate. The order also clarifies that the waivers do not affect existing sanctions and other measures imposed under specified executive orders addressing Russian government activities.
The US Trade Representative, working with the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Energy, will monitor countries’ purchases of Russian-origin oil and natural gas and activities that facilitate sanctions evasion. The Trade Representative is also required to report relevant developments to the President and recommend further action where appropriate.
Responsibilities assigned to US agencies
The executive order delegates implementation responsibilities across several US government departments. The Secretaries of State, Treasury and Energy, along with the US Trade Representative, will exercise designated authorities under the legislation, with consultations required across agencies for specified measures.
The order leaves open the possibility of further action depending on developments in international energy trade and efforts to circumvent sanctions.
For agricultural and other commodity exporters, the potential tariff measures could be relevant where goods fall within the scope of the order and the applicable country-specific provisions. However, the order’s stated increases are subject to exceptions and waivers, and the document does not establish the final tariff treatment of every product or trading partner.
The order directs federal agencies to implement its provisions in accordance with applicable law.
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