Andrea Innocenti US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order temporarily suspending a package of planned sanctions and tariffs against Russia . The measure, introduced in legislation known as the Graham Act, was expected to take effect within days, but the president has stated he needs more time before confirming its final implementation.
During a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Trump hinted that a final decision was still being finalized, immediately attracting attention from the media and economic observers.
Trump's measure and the electoral context
The move comes just days before midterm elections scheduled for November, a time when the president is under pressure from soaring energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine and tensions with Iran, which have limited global oil supplies.
Suspending the sanctions was justified as a necessary step to safeguard national interests, but the decision was interpreted as an attempt to improve public opinion before the vote. The original legislation called for 500 percent tariffs on Russian goods and 100 percent tariffs on major Russian oil and gas importers, including India, a strategic partner for the United States.
The 60-day review and Marco Rubio's statements
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Trump has set a 60-day window to analyze the economic impact of the suspended measures. "I think the president wants to use this period to evaluate what maintaining sanctions and tariffs would mean for the global economy and the American economy ," Rubio explained before boarding a plane for Uzbekistan. The official emphasized that the decision is influenced by the current volatility of energy markets, which makes it difficult to predict the consequences of prolonged pressure on Moscow.
The political oppositions
The measure met with strong resistance from several leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that lifting sanctions could strengthen Vladimir Putin 's position and prolong the conflict with Ukraine. Darline Graham, Republican Senator from South Carolina and sister of the late Lindsey Graham, also expressed dissent, saying she trusts neither Putin nor Russia and prefers maintaining economic pressure.
Economic impacts and the Russian diesel deal
Alongside the suspension, the administration defended a bilateral agreement aimed at increasing Russian diesel supplies to global markets. Trump indicated that Russia will deliver over 300.000 cubic meters of diesel to the United States, with additional shipments expected in November and beyond. Rubio clarified that "that diesel will arrive regardless; the difference is who gets it." The strategy is intended to contain rising fuel prices, a result of the war in Iran and disruptions to global energy supplies.
With a 60-day window to assess the effects, the Trump administration will have to decide whether to maintain its pressure on Moscow or adjust measures to reduce the economic burden on American consumers.