Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill With 100% Tariff Power Over Russian Energy Buyers
Updated
Updated · TIME · Sep 17
Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill With 100% Tariff Power Over Russian Energy Buyers
3 articles · Updated · TIME · Sep 17
Summary
Trump signed a sweeping Russia-Iran sanctions law that lets him levy tariffs of up to 100% on countries making new purchases of Russian oil or gas, or ranking among the top five buyers over the past 12 months.
The measure aims to choke off financing for Russia’s war in Ukraine by targeting banks, energy exports, investment and fund transfers to the Kremlin; Zelensky called it “an extremely powerful tool.”
Democratic leaders backed the Russia crackdown but warned the tariff authority is too broad, saying Trump could use it with little oversight after earlier tariffs were estimated by Yale Budget Lab to add about $1,100 a year to household costs.
The House passed the bill 262-159 with 58 Democrats joining Republicans, while supporters said it was the best bipartisan path to punish Moscow and show support for Kyiv.
China, India and Turkey were the top buyers of Russian oil and gas in August, and the new authority lands just before Xi Jinping’s Washington visit and amid fragile U.S.-India trade talks.
With Trump's new 100% tariff threat, will major buyers like India risk crippling domestic inflation to keep cheap Russian oil flowing?
Will the sweeping 2026 sanctions package inadvertently unite Asian economic powers to bypass the US dollar in their quest for energy security?
Could the aggressive crackdown on Russia's shadow fleet trigger unprecedented maritime clashes as armed tankers navigate closely monitored European waters?
The 2026 U.S. Sanctions Act: How the Lindsey O. Graham Law Reshapes Global Trade, Energy, and Geopolitics
Overview
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was passed in Congress to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham, following his sudden death. This bipartisan law, signed by President Trump, gives the president strong authority to impose sweeping tariffs—up to 100 percent—on major buyers of Russian energy like India and China. The act was carefully crafted to withstand legal challenges after the Supreme Court limited presidential tariff powers, making these new sanctions difficult to reverse. As a result, India and China have pushed back, warning of severe consequences, while Europe has stepped up naval enforcement against Russia’s shadow fleet. The law marks a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, using aggressive economic tools to pressure Russia and reshape global trade.