Trump Signs Sweeping Russia Sanctions Law With 100% Tariffs

President Donald Trump signed the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' into law on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, empowering his administration to levy tariffs of up to 100% on top buyers of Russian energy. The legislation targets Russian officials, banks, energy trade, and its shadow fleet of tankers while extending existing sanctions on Iran through 2031.

"I wish Lindsey were here to celebrate this historic day. I know he would be so proud. Lindsey believed this bill, which he worked on for well over a year, would help end the war through squeezing Putin economically and forcing his customers to reevaluate their relationship with Russia," said Sen. Darline Graham in a statement reported by NBC News.

Legislative Journey and Bipartisan Margins

The legislation advanced through Congress with strong bipartisan support, passing by margins of 86-11 in the Senate and 262-159 in the House. Lawmakers designed the bill as a final legislative legacy item for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, whose multi-year effort culminated in the final package signed by the White House.

"Putin is a thug who understands only force and strength, which is what we must show clearly and unequivocally," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal regarding the measure.

Tariffs and Energy Import Exceptions

The newly enacted statute directs the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas. However, the legislation provides an explicit statutory exception for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and have taken documented steps to reduce those dependencies.

Beyond energy tariffs, the legislation extends existing U.S. sanctions on Iran for an additional five years, maintaining restrictions through 2031.

Political Pushback and International Response

The broad executive authority granted under the law drew criticism from congressional leadership and foreign officials alike. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned the delegation of authority during legislative debates.

"Why in the world would this Congress or the People’s House give this president unfettered authority to visit more tariffs on the world that will have an adverse economic impact on the American people?" said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.

Meanwhile, the international reaction included immediate pushback from Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the additional U.S. sanctions "fall under the category of unfriendly actions" and would complicate diplomatic efforts to negotiate a peace settlement in Ukraine.