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Donald Trump defended exempting Russia and major energy buyers from new sanctions and tariffs. The move has triggered bipartisan accusations that he is undermining Congress and aiding Moscow.
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Washington,Oct 18, 2026 09:24 IST
US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to exempt Russia from sanctions under a new law, calling it a “very good decision” amid criticism from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Trump also waived 100 per cent tariffs on the five biggest purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. He said the decision would be good for the United States and the world.
“A lot of you don’t know what my decision is yet, but we’ll figure it out, and you’ll figure it out,” Trump told reporters at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Miami on Saturday evening.
“It’s a very good decision, and it’s going to be a decision that’s good for the country, and I think good for the world because we’re really at a world stage,” he said.
Trump on Friday signed an executive order exempting Russia from sanctions under the Graham Act, which the US Congress passed last month, PTI reported.
The order said the waivers would remain in effect until the president or the secretary of state, in consultation with the treasury secretary and the US trade representative where appropriate, decides that further action is needed.
Trump’s decision drew criticism from Republicans and Democrats, who had come together last month to overwhelmingly pass the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.
Republican Senator Darline Graham of South Carolina criticised Trump for exempting Russia from the sanctions law championed by and named after her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
“Personally, I would choose to put the pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down, because I don’t trust Putin, and I don’t trust Russia,” Graham said, according to PTI. Trump had endorsed her to fill the Senate seat left vacant by her brother’s death.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina called the decision “beyond irresponsible” in a social media post. “What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisers not understand?” he said.
“It’s unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine,” Tillis said. He added that if Trump wanted to lower energy prices, he should resolve the Iran war, which he said was largely responsible for the rise in fuel prices, rather than help Vladimir Putin.
Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said, “Lindsey would be appalled,” referring to the late senator, who had worked extensively on the Bill before his death this summer.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said Trump was disregarding Congress and enabling Putin to continue his war. She urged lawmakers to act to reverse the decision.
Trump has maintained that the exemptions for Russia and major buyers of its oil and gas are good for the US and the world, even as lawmakers from both parties have called for the sanctions law to be enforced.
With PTI Inputs
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