Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Rubio Says Russia Sanctions Act Gives Trump Tariff Authority
President Donald Trump signed a new law about Russia and Iran sanctions.
The law lets him place tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
India and China are among the countries mentioned.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said tariffs are an important tool for the president.
He said the law could be used to influence the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine.
Rubio also said it might be used in connection with Iran.
The law allows national security waivers for individual cases.
India said it will keep getting energy from different sources to protect its people.
Trump said the law could help stop the killing.
President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 last Friday.
The law authorizes tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including India and China.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the act gives Trump a tool to influence the Russia-Ukraine conflict and potentially developments involving Iran.
The law includes national security waivers, allowing the president to apply the measures in individual cases.
India said it remains committed to energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified energy sourcing.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senator Lindsey Graham, India, China, Russia, Iran and Ukraine are central to the report.
- What
- Trump signed a law authorizing tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
- When
- Trump signed the law last Friday; Rubio discussed it on Wednesday, September 23, after Trump mentioned it at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
- Where
- The law was discussed in New York, including at Rubio’s press conference after his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
- Why
- The measure is intended to give Trump leverage over the Russia-Ukraine conflict and potentially developments involving Iran, while Trump said it was time to stop the killing.
United States administration
India’s position
Use of tariff authority
United States administration
The administration says the law gives Trump a powerful tariff tool that can influence the Russia-Ukraine conflict and potentially developments involving Iran.
India’s position
India has raised its interests and concerns about the Russia sanctions legislation and emphasized its continuing energy-security needs.
Purchases of Russian energy
United States administration
Trump said the authority could be used against major buyers of Russian oil, including India and China, to help stop the killing.
India’s position
India said it will continue using diversified energy sourcing to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion people.
- Law
- Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- Tariff authority
- Up to 100 percent on countries buying Russian oil and gas
- Potentially affected buyers
- India and China are identified as major buyers of Russian oil
- Presidential waivers
- National security waivers allow the president to apply the measures in individual cases
- US administration’s view
- Marco Rubio said the authority gives Trump a tool to influence the Russia-Ukraine conflict and potentially developments involving Iran
- India’s position
- India said it remains committed to energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing
- Earlier proposal
- The law is named after late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had proposed 500 percent tariffs on countries buying Russian oil
