Russia Tariffs: Why the Pause?

2 days ago

3 min read

🔓 US–Russia tariffs are paused, but the risks remain. Discover what the policy shift means for businesses and global trade.

Summary: US–Russia trade policy has taken a significant turn. On 16 October 2026, President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving specified new tariffs, sanctions and restrictions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The decision has eased immediate concerns for businesses, but it does not mean that all Russia-related trade restrictions have disappeared.

US and Russian flag-painted shipping containers hang over a sunset port with cranes and a paused video icon. — ***US - Russia Tariffs: Why the pause?***

What Has Changed?

The Graham Act, signed into law on 18 September 2026, provided for additional duties on Russian goods and goods from certain other countries connected to Russian oil and gas purchases or sanctions evasion.

The proposed measures included a 500% increase in the duty rate on Russian goods, subject to statutory exceptions, and a 100% increase for goods from certain countries meeting the legislation's conditions.

However, the 16 October executive order waived the application of the specified new duties and several sanctions and restrictions under the Act. These measures should therefore not be treated as automatically payable simply because the legislation provided for them.

Does This Mean Russia-Related Trade Is No Longer Restricted?

No. The waiver does not remove all existing US sanctions against Russia.

The executive order expressly preserves sanctions and other measures established under earlier executive orders addressing specified harmful activities of the Russian government. Businesses must therefore distinguish the newly waived measures from existing restrictions that may still affect particular goods, entities or transactions.

For importers, this distinction is important. A change in the treatment of new tariffs does not automatically make every Russia-related transaction permissible or eliminate other customs obligations.

Why Should Businesses Pay Attention?

The policy shift could affect more than companies importing goods directly from Russia.

Businesses sourcing from countries that purchase Russian-origin energy may also need to understand how the Graham Act's provisions could affect their supply chains if the policy changes. The executive order establishes a monitoring process for Russian-origin energy purchases and potential sanctions-evasion activity, with further action possible if circumstances warrant it.

The commercial implications may include changes to sourcing decisions, landed-cost assumptions, supplier arrangements and pricing strategies.

For now, businesses should avoid two mistakes: treating the waived duties as current liabilities without checking the applicable legal position, or assuming that the waiver has permanently eliminated future tariff risk.

What Should Businesses Do Now?

Companies should review their exposure to Russia-related trade measures, confirm the current treatment of relevant imports and continue applying appropriate sanctions checks.

It is also worth reviewing supplier contracts and landed-cost calculations to understand how a future change in policy could affect existing commitments.

The key is to distinguish what applies today from what could change tomorrow.

The Bottom Line

The US decision has paused specified new duties and sanctions under the Graham Act, but the wider trade and compliance picture remains uncertain.

For businesses, this is an opportunity to review exposure and prepare for further developments rather than assume the issue is resolved.

Need More Than the Headlines?

Understanding the news is only the starting point. Knowing how tariff changes and sanctions may affect your business is what matters.

Our PRO Analysis, Russia Tariffs: Paused, Not Gone, examines the implications of the US policy shift, the restrictions that remain in force, and the practical steps businesses can take to assess their exposure and prepare for future changes.

🔐 Go beyond the headlines with Customs Manager PRO. Get expert analysis and practical resources to help you move from awareness to informed action.

Read the PRO Analysis: Russia Tariffs: Paused, Not Gone

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Author

Ann Karen | Head of Growth

Updated: October 2026

Disclaimer:

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, customs or tax advice. Businesses should seek professional advice based on their individual trading arrangements and compliance obligations.