US President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which expands sanctions on Russia and Iran and allows tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, including China and India, the White House said.
The White House said Trump signed the legislation, H.R. 5334, on September 18, 2026. The law authorises and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs and prohibitions against Russia while extending existing sanctions on Iran.
The US House of Representatives had passed the legislation on Wednesday. It targets Russia's leadership and energy sector, as well as entities and individuals involved in its defence industry and the so-called “shadow fleet”.
The law gives Trump broad authority over its implementation, including deciding which countries would face tariffs, setting tariff rates and determining whether certain sanctions provisions should be waived.
The legislation will take effect within 30 days of Trump's signing. It requires the president to impose duties of up to 100 per cent on goods imported from countries that were among the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas by total volume during the 12 months before the law was enacted.
Countries can be exempted from gas-related duties if their Russian gas imports accounted for less than 15 per cent of Russia's total exports during the relevant period and they have taken “significant steps” to reduce those imports.
The law also targets Russia's “shadow fleet” and foreign individuals or entities involved in supporting Russian energy production or helping evade sanctions. This includes vessel owners, operators, managers, insurers and other parties involved in activities covered by the legislation. (with inputs from PTI)