Trump waives Russia sanctions linked to 100% India tariff risk

US President Donald Trump has waived sanctions, restrictions and duties under legislation targeting Russia and Iran, putting on hold measures that could impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major Russian energy buyers, including India and China, according to India Today. The report says the executive order was issued on Friday evening, October 16.

Trump cited the United States’ national interest and said he had submitted the required certification to Congress. The report identifies the legislation as the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act and says it gives the president powers to sanction Moscow and impose steep tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas.

For India, the reported decision pauses a potential tariff threat rather than establishing a permanent exemption. The waiver has no fixed expiry in the supplied account: it remains effective until Trump or his administration decides further action is needed. While the source headline says tariffs were due a day later, the accompanying text does not specify an implementation deadline or establish that a 100% rate had been finalised for Indian goods.