Washington, September 2026 : US President Donald Trump has signed legislation expanding sanctions against Russia and authorising tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, while extending US sanctions authority against Iran for another five years.
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Friday. The White House said the legislation expands statutory sanctions, tariffs and prohibitions targeting Russia and extends existing US sanctions measures against Iran.
The legislation directs the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas, as well as countries that rank among the top five facilitators of efforts to evade sanctions on Russian oil, according to a statement from Republican Senator Katie Britt.
The signing announcement and statements from lawmakers did not identify the countries that could face the tariffs. They also did not specify the tariff rates that would apply to individual countries.
The legislation includes an exemption for countries whose imports of Russian natural gas account for less than 15 per cent of Russia’s total natural gas exports, provided those countries are taking significant steps to reduce their dependence on Russian gas, Britt’s office said.
The new measures extend beyond Russia’s energy sector. According to Britt’s statement, the legislation targets Russian government officials, oligarchs and their family members, foreign individuals and entities, Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as vessels associated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
The law provides for both primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and individuals or entities supporting its war in Ukraine.
Britt, an Alabama Republican, joined Trump in the Oval Office for the signing ceremony. Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas also attended, according to Britt’s office.
“By signing this bill today, President Trump sent a clear message to Russia, and any countries that help fund its war machine, that the United States stands unified in our opposition to their acts of aggression against Ukraine,” Britt said.
She credited lawmakers in both chambers of Congress and the White House with helping secure passage of the legislation, while also highlighting the role of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in advancing the measure.
“We would not be here today if it weren’t for his tireless work, and it’s a true honor to have helped champion such an important part of his legacy,” Britt said.
The legislation represents a further expansion of the economic tools available to the US administration in dealing with Russia and countries continuing to purchase or facilitate trade in Russian energy.
Republican Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho, who supported the legislation, said additional economic restrictions could contribute to efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
“We can all agree that this war has gone on for far too long, and we must not allow Russia to claim victory or believe they have won the war,” Simpson said.
His office described the legislation as establishing new mandatory sanctions and economic restrictions against Russia.
Alongside the Russia-related provisions, the law extends existing US sanctions authority against Iran for five years. The move maintains the administration’s statutory authority to impose or continue economic restrictions related to Iran.
The legislation comes as Washington continues to use sanctions and trade measures as instruments of foreign policy. By targeting Russian energy revenues, financial institutions and individuals, the new law expands the potential economic consequences for Moscow and entities supporting its war effort, while also placing additional pressure on major international buyers of Russian oil and gas.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
