US Senate passes bill giving Trump authority to impose 100% tariffs on Russian energy buyers
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The U.S. Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act by an 86-11 vote on Friday, granting President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas. The House is expected to approve the bill with similar bipartisan support next month. The legislation, which also sanctions Putin and the energy sector, sparked concerns even among some supporters about unchecked presidential tariff powers.
The Legislation
The bill imposes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior Kremlin officials, as well as targeting the country’s energy sector. It empowers the president to levy tariffs up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas — a list that could include U.S. allies like the European Union, South Korea, and Japan, as well as China and India. However, the president can issue waivers if deemed in the national interest. The legislation aims to cripple Russia’s economy amid its war on Ukraine.
Senate Opposition
Despite the overwhelming bipartisan vote, several senators objected to the tariff authority. Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Ron Wyden attempted to strip the tariff provision, with Paul arguing it would 'make American families poorer.' Democrat Raphael Warnock initially balked but eventually voted yes after securing a written promise from U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that tariffs would be lifted once countries are no longer top buyers or sanctions evaders. Warnock vowed to remain vigilant, threatening court action if Trump oversteps.
Legal Context
The vote follows a Supreme Court ruling in February that blocked Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for 'Liberation Day' tariffs. Trump subsequently pivoted to Sections 122 and 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for temporary and sectoral duties. Those tariffs face expected challenges, but the Russia bill’s broad language may give the president more legal cover, according to Cato Institute scholars. They warned that the bill lacks specificity on which data determine the top five importers.
What's Next
The House is set to take up the bill when it returns in September. It remains unclear whether Trump will use the new tariff authority broadly against allies, risking diplomatic and economic fallout, or deploy waivers selectively.
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US Senate passes bill giving Trump authority to impose 100% tariffs on Russian energy buyers
