Trump signs Russia sanctions Bill into Act: India, China face 100% tariff threat - The Indian Express
US President Donald Trump has signed the Russia sanctions Bill, according to a statement from the White House. The US expects the legislation, officially known as ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026’, to give it financial leverage over Moscow and its ongoing war efforts in Ukraine.
Under the new law, the President gets authority to slap 100% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian crude oil, directly threatening major buyers like China and India. He won’t need Congressional approval for this now.
The Act aims to choke revenue streams allegedly funding Kremlin military efforts by penalising Russia’s defence apparatus, energy ecosystem, and the “shadow fleet” of oil tankers built to bypass existing trade restrictions.
The passage of the Russia Sanctions Bill reflects the first major pro-Ukraine measure passed by Congress in over two years. It aims to disrupting Moscow’s energy revenues and closing enforcement loopholes.
It grants the US President discretionary power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major foreign buyers of Russian crude and natural gas.
It imposes targeted sanctions on vessels, logistical entities, and maritime operators used to transport discounted Russian oil below market caps.
It also provides for penalising high-ranking Russian leadership, state officials, banking institutions, and energy sector enterprises.
While not directly impacting the Middle East conflict, the Russia Sanctions Bill broadens existing enforcement mechanisms against Iran’s military and energy trade.
The ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ honours the late South Carolina Republican senator and prominent foreign policy hawk who died in July after long pushing for the measure. The bill cleared the Senate last month before securing final passage in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
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