Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Law, Putting India Ties Under Pressure
The United States has passed a law aimed at putting more pressure on Russia and Iran.
The law targets Russian leaders, banks, energy companies, and ships that help move Russian oil.
It lets President Trump place tariffs as high as 100% on goods from some countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
However, those tariffs are not automatically imposed on India or China.
India buys a large amount of Russian oil and says it must protect energy supplies for its people.
India also says the law could hurt its relationship with the United States.
Experts say changing India’s oil purchases could affect supplies and prices around the world.
The law takes effect 30 days after signing, and Trump can waive the tariffs if he tells Congress that doing so is in the US national interest.
Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday, according to one report.
The law authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major countries buying Russian oil and gas, but does not impose them automatically.
It sanctions Russian leaders, officials, oligarchs, banks, energy interests, defense collaborators, and the shadow fleet of oil tankers.
India says it will continue diversifying energy supplies to protect energy security for its 1.4 billion people.
The measure could strain India-US relations and affect global oil supplies and prices, while reports differ on when the House approved the bill.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, the US Congress, India, China, Russia, and countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
- What
- The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 authorizes new sanctions and possible tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy.
- When
- The Senate passed the bill in August or the previous month, the House approved it on Wednesday or Thursday according to differing reports, and Trump signed it on Friday according to one report.
- Where
- The legislation was passed in the United States and could affect India, China, Russia, and international energy markets.
- Why
- The law seeks to reduce Russia's energy revenues and pressure countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas.
US Pressure on Russia
India's Energy and Trade Concerns
Purpose of the law
US Pressure on Russia
The United States seeks to reduce Russia's energy revenues and pressure countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas.
India's Energy and Trade Concerns
India says it must continue sourcing energy according to market conditions and from diverse suppliers to protect its population and economy.
Potential tariffs
US Pressure on Russia
The law gives the president a tool to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major Russian-energy buyers and allows him to waive them if doing so is in the US national interest.
India's Energy and Trade Concerns
India warns that steep tariffs could make its exports less competitive in the US market, damage trade, and affect the broader India-US relationship.
Impact on energy markets
US Pressure on Russia
Supporters of the measure view pressure on Russian oil purchases as a way to constrain Moscow's energy income.
India's Energy and Trade Concerns
Indian officials and cited analysts warn that rapidly replacing Russian crude could be difficult and could disrupt global oil supplies and prices.
- Legislation
- Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- Presidential action
- Trump reportedly signed the law on Friday; an earlier report said he planned to sign it.
- Possible tariffs
- Up to 100% on goods from the five biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas.
- Tariff status
- The law grants authority to impose tariffs but does not automatically apply a 100% tariff to India or any other country.
- Effective date
- The law takes effect 30 days after it was signed.
- India's Russian oil share
- Reports said Russian crude accounted for roughly 35-40% of India's imports in 2025 and nearly 50% by July.
- India's position
- India says it will diversify energy sources and take measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
