Trump waives 100% tariff threat against major buyers of Russian energy

US President Donald Trump has granted exemptions from US tariff measures targeting leading purchasers of Russian energy, which faced levies as high as 100% on their products. Reports published on October 17, 2026, described the decision as preventing specified provisions of the Graham Act from taking effect and easing the immediate threat to Indian exports.¹²³

A suspension, not a repeal

Under the law, products exported by the top five purchasers of Russian energy may be subject to tariffs. According to NewsX, India and China are among those identified by the legislation. The Economic Times reported that the act was signed on September 18, after an earlier proposal had envisaged tariffs of up to 500% against countries continuing to buy Russian oil and gas.²⁴

Trump used the law's national-interest exemption and notified Congress, CBS News reported. NewsX identified Section 115 as the provision permitting waivers of specified sanctions, restrictions on foreign persons and duties. The Hindu BusinessLine reported that Trump certified the decision as being in the US national interest.¹³⁴

The suspension does not repeal the legislation or remove the president's authority to use it, according to the Economic Times. CBS News reported that Trump said the waivers would continue until administration officials judged further action appropriate, and instructed officials to track countries purchasing Russian energy or circumventing sanctions.¹²

Relief for India

For India, the immediate effect is relief from possible additional duties of up to 100% on exports to the United States, the Hindu BusinessLine reported. NewsX cautioned that the waiver neither ensures wider trade benefits nor excludes other US trade measures.³⁴

India had raised concerns with Washington about the legislation, according to NewsX. The outlet quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirming those representations and reiterating India's support for stable global energy markets. The Economic Times reported that India said its purchasing choices were needed to provide reasonably priced supplies to a population of 1.4 billion.²⁴

Diesel supplies and opposition

The tariff decision accompanies efforts to bring Russian diesel to US and global markets, according to CBS News and the Hindu BusinessLine. NewsX reported that Trump announced an immediate supply of more than 300,000 tonnes, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes afterwards. Those quantities were Trump's account of the arrangement, not confirmation of deliveries.¹³⁴

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the decision as “unfortunate”, CBS News reported, and argued that easing financial pressure encouraged Vladimir Putin to continue attacks. The same outlet reported that a bipartisan group of US senators opposed the diesel waivers and urged Trump to enforce the Graham Act's sanctions and tariffs.¹