TL/DR –
President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a bill that imposes sanctions on Russia and threats tariffs on its top energy customers, mainly China and India. The new law authorizes the president to impose up to 100% tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, and it also extends sanctions on Iran’s energy and weapons sectors. The bill, which was passed with bipartisan support in the House and Senate, also sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin, his government officials, oligarchs, and Russian banks and financial institutions.
Washington — President Trump has signed a major bill that imposes sanctions on Russia and proposes tariffs on its significant energy customers. This was a bill championed by late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The bill was passed with bipartisan support in the House and Senate earlier, despite some Democrats voicing reservations about expanding the president’s tariff authority.
The new law, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, enables the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil and natural gas. This law also sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin, his government, officials, oligarchs, and financial institutions.
China and India, being the largest buyers of Russian crude oil, will experience the most impact. President Trump is set to meet with Xi Jinping on Sept. 24 at the White House. Iran’s energy and weapons sectors will also face extended sanctions due to this bill.
The bill’s passage was supported by Graham before his sudden death in July. Mr. Trump delivered the eulogy at his funeral.
Despite campaign promises to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, it continues with no apparent end in sight. Mr. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff visited Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently. Mr. Trump voiced frustration with the unsettled war after speaking with Putin.
“The holdup is two people that hate each other,” Mr. Trump said.
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