Washington: President Donald Trump signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which seeks to impose steep levies on Moscow and its top energy buyers such as China and India.
“On Friday, September 18, 2026, the President signed into law: H.R. 5334, the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” which authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran,” the White House said.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which seeks to impose sanctions on Russia’s leadership and energy sector — as well as on collaborators in Moscow’s defence industry and its so-called shadow fleet.
To be sure, the bill does not name any country as a target. Instead, it tasks the US Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Energy, to identify the five largest importers of Russian crude and gas by total volume over the preceding 12 months, with the list reassessed every 180 days. The tariff rate – which can be set at any rate up to the ceiling of 100% – is set at the President’s discretion. The President is not compelled by law to place tariffs on purchasers of Russian energy.
However, the bill’s backers – especially Senator Blumenthal – have primarily called on China and India to end their purchases of Russian energy.
“To China and India: You better clean up your act. Buy your oil and gas somewhere else,” said Senator Blumenthal on Wednesday after the bill passed the House of Representatives.
The legislation also includes provisions to shield America’s European partners from the sanctions legislation through an exemption for countries whose Russian natural gas imports account for less than 15% of Russia’s total gas exports and that are “taking significant steps” to reduce those imports. A separate provision authorises tariffs of up to 500% on goods imported directly from Russia.
In addition, the President can waive tariffs on any country by certifying to Congress that the waiver serves the national interests of the US. To permanently lift them, he must certify that the country has stopped purchasing Russian energy and has provided “reliable assurances” it will not resume.
