Trump waives key sanctions on Russian oil, invokes Section 115 of the Graham Act: Here's what it means for India

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) signed an executive order waiving key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, telling Congress that the decision was in the national interest.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) signed an executive order waiving key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, telling Congress that the decision was in the national interest.

In the executive order, he said it was in the country's "national interest" to withhold some of the sanctions and added, "I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act."

The US President further said that he had submitted a certification to Congress stating that issuing such a waiver at this time was in the country's national interest. The sanctions under the Act, which Trump signed last month, were set to take effect in just two days, AP reported.

This story will be updated with additional details.

About the Author

Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.