Trump suspends some Russia sanctions and tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that some major sanctions and customs tariffs against Russia have been suspended days before they were due to take effect. The decision includes suspending tariffs on Russian goods and restrictions on oil and gas exports from the country.

Under the move, tariffs that were set under a newly passed law to reach up to 100% on Russian exports to the United States have been put on hold. The law was passed to increase pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Trump described the decision as being in the national interest of the United States, while in recent days he has also made sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

It should be noted that one of the main supporters of the sanctions plan in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, and the proposal was introduced with the aim of tightening sanctions against Russia.