Rubio: Trump Wants 60 Days to Weigh Russia Sanctions — SkimNews
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- Rubio said Trump wants a 60-day period to analyze what imposing Russia sanctions and tariffs would mean for the global and U.S. economy, ahead of his week-long trip to Uzbekistan and India
- Trump signed an executive order on Friday (October 16, 2026) waiving key provisions of the Graham Act that authorized punitive tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, offering relief to India
- The executive order states the waivers remain in effect until the President or Secretary of State, in consultation with the Treasury Secretary and Trade Representative, determines further action is appropriate
- Rubio said the original waivers were built in to study global pressures, citing Iran war disruptions to energy supplies, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war
- Rubio defended India's continued Russian energy imports, noting India voluntarily diversified its energy portfolio but cannot pivot "from one day to the next," and called India "an important ally and partner" of the United States
Why it matters: India buys itself a reprieve from punitive tariffs on Russian oil purchases while Trump buys time to gauge global economic fallout. The 60-day window delays Senator Graham's sanctions push and leaves a key U.S. partner's energy supply in limbo just as Rubio lands in India on Monday for talks.
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