Trump's Russia Sanctions Waiver Draws Fire From Both Parties, and a Russian Diesel Purchase Deal Is Questioned

On Friday, October 16, 2026, Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving the newly passed sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and buyers of its oil and gas, citing US national interest, and did not say when they might be introduced. Al Jazeera reports that Republicans and Democrats condemned the decision; Republican Senator Thom Tillis called it "beyond irresponsible", and the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has introduced legislation to block a separate diesel deal. The law, passed by the Senate 86-11, would have allowed tariffs of up to 100% on countries that keep buying Russian oil and gas.

Al Jazeera writes that the decision came shortly after Trump agreed to buy Russian diesel to lower fuel prices, which have risen during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Congress is in recess until after the November 3 midterm elections, limiting immediate options to challenge the order.