Former US Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette analyzes the market impact of the diesel deal with Russia announced by President Donald Trump. Lawmakers, including Sen. Thom Tillis, are urging the administration to scrap the controversial deal.
President Donald Trump’s decision to lift new sanctions on Russia is drawing sharp criticism from Republicans and Democrats, with several prominent GOP figures warning the move could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin as Moscow continues its war against Ukraine.
Trump on Friday signed an executive order waiving major sanctions and tariffs linked to Russia under the Graham Act, a law he signed into law last month aimed at increasing economic pressure on Moscow.
The law, supported by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., authorized tariffs of up to 100 percent on certain goods imported into the United States from major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley reposted FOX Business’ report on Trump’s executive order, calling the president’s decision a potentially defining moment.
Trump waives many Russian sanctions and tariffs under new law backed by Lindsey Graham
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday, October 16, 2026, waiving certain sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and countries purchasing Russian energy. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“Some decisions will be remembered as defining moments in history. This is one of them. This is a terrible error of judgment on the part of Putin, who has made it clear that he wants to destroy the West. We should not help him do that,” Haley posted on X.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also criticized the decision during a Saturday appearance on Fox News.
“Look, I wish the president wouldn’t have done it. I think it was a mistake,” Cruz said.
Cruz acknowledged that Trump was likely focused on rising fuel costs, including diesel and gasoline prices.
When asked by Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie if he would tell Trump not to lift sanctions, Cruz replied, “I would, yes.”
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has come under renewed scrutiny after President Donald Trump lifted some sanctions targeting Moscow, drawing criticism from U.S. lawmakers. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Trump wrote in the order that the waiver was in the “national interest of the United States.”
Asked by journalists on Saturday about his decision to lift sanctions, Trump defended his approach.
“Many of you don’t know yet what my decision is, but we will find out, and you will find out,” Trump said.
“It’s a very good decision, and it will be a good decision for the country, and I think good for the world because we are really on the world stage,” he added.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called the decision “beyond irresponsible.”
“What part of the application of a law passed 86-11 by the Senate do the president and his advisers not understand?” Tillis wrote on
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Sen. Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to lift some sanctions on Russia, saying he believed the move was a mistake. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, who helped write the Graham Act, also criticized Trump’s decision, accusing the president of turning his back on lawmakers and his European allies.
“These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with an attempt to deceive Vladimir Putin,” Blumenthal said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Saturday that sanctions relief could encourage Moscow to continue its attacks against Ukraine.
“The decision to undo all this, to block everything, seems wrong to me,” Zelensky wrote on X. “It definitely only helps the Russians.”
“It only fuels their complacency and their desire to continue killing people,” he added.
This exemption comes in a context of rising diesel and gasoline prices linked to the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. Trump recently struck a deal with Putin that would see Russia release millions of tons of diesel into global markets.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to lift some sanctions against Russia, warning that the move could embolden Moscow to continue its attacks. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)
Friday’s executive order does not affect certain Russia-related sanctions imposed under previous executive orders.
Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who succeeded her late brother, also expressed disagreement with Trump’s decision.
“Personally, I would choose to keep the pressure on Russia,” she told reporters, according to Reuters. “Because I don’t trust Putin and Russia.”
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Brie Stimson of FOX Business contributed to this report.
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