Hungary seeks US tariff waiver over continued Russian oil purchases

Hungary has formally requested that the US exempt it from new tariffs tied to Russian oil imports, testing the new Hungarian government's relationship with Washington after its landslide election win over Viktor Orban. The request follows the signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which expands sanctions and tariffs on Russia. The outcome will signal whether the new leadership can balance EU energy dependence with US pressure.