The Russia sanctions waiver will be reviewed over a period of as many as 60 days while the Trump administration assesses the economic effect of activating steep tariffs and restrictions tied to Russian energy trade.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the review would examine consequences for both the global economy and the United States. President Donald Trump separately said he had not yet disclosed his final decision.
Russia Sanctions Waiver Delays New Tariff Exposure
The White House executive order sets a 500% additional tariff framework for Russian goods and a 100% rate for goods from specified large buyers of Russian oil and gas. It also waives those measures for now under authority granted by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.
The order says the third-country tariff could apply to the five largest importers that knowingly make new purchases of Russian crude oil or natural gas from October 18. A separate provision targets countries identified as leading facilitators of sanctions evasion.
Because the waiver remains in force, the headline tariff rates are not currently being collected under the order. Existing sanctions created under other authorities remain unaffected.
The administration’s review is closely connected to energy prices. Rubio also defended an arrangement intended to increase Russian diesel supplies to global markets as the conflict with Iran and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz tighten fuel availability.
Energy Costs Complicate Pressure on Moscow
The policy creates a trade-off between pressuring Russia and avoiding another increase in oil and refined-product prices. Tariffs on major Russian-energy buyers could also affect countries that trade extensively with the United States, magnifying the economic impact beyond bilateral commerce with Moscow.
Ukraine has criticized the waiver, arguing that it reduces pressure while Russian strikes continue. The administration has framed the pause as time to evaluate economic consequences rather than a permanent decision to abandon the measures.
The next material step will be a presidential or delegated decision to retain, narrow or end the waiver. Until that happens, companies face a defined sanctions framework but no immediate application of its largest new tariff rates.
