United States President, Donald Trump has suspended many of the sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and its oil customers, just days before they were due to take effect under a law he signed last month.

Trump issued an executive order on Friday, October 16, using a waiver provision in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act. He certified to Congress that suspending the measures is in the national interests of the United States.

The law, named after the late South Carolina senator, was passed to increase pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. Several of its measures were due to take effect on Sunday.

Among the provisions put on hold are 100 per cent tariffs on the world’s five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, and 500 per cent duties on Russian goods. Certain other penalties tied to purchases of Russian energy were also waived.

The order did not say why the waiver serves the national interest. It said it would remain in force until Trump or his top officials decide that “further action is appropriate.” It does not touch Russia-related sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders.

The move comes weeks before the US midterm elections, in which Republicans are fighting to keep their narrow majorities in Congress. Analysts had warned that enforcing the new measures could push oil prices higher at a time when Americans are already facing rising costs, which many attribute to the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The decision also follows a recent diesel arrangement under which Trump agreed to ease sanctions on Russian exports, while Moscow agreed to supply diesel to global markets to help bring down fuel prices.

China and India, two of the biggest buyers of Russian oil, had objected to the law before the waiver. Beijing said it consistently opposes “long-arm jurisdiction” that lacks a basis in international law, while New Delhi warned Washington that the new tariffs could damage bilateral ties.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism at home. Virginia Democrat Don Beyer accused the president of giving in to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Several senators, including some Republicans, had already criticised the diesel deal.

The waiver also comes at the end of a difficult week for US-Ukraine relations, which has raised concern in Washington and Europe that Trump is taking steps that effectively help Putin.

Because the order leaves the sanctions waived indefinitely, the White House keeps the power to bring them back at any time.