Trump signs sanctions law allowing 100% tariffs on Russian oil importers

September 22, 2026 at 04:00 AM3 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Friday, authorizing tariffs up to 100% on countries that are among the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas. India, the second-largest buyer of Russian crude, could face such tariffs if it continues large purchases. New Delhi said it will prioritize energy security for its 1.4 billion people.

Key Facts

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.
The law authorizes tariffs of up to 100% ad valorem on all goods imported into the United States from a country that is among the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas and knowingly makes new purchases after enactment.
India is the second-largest importer of Russian crude oil behind China, with Russian imports accounting for nearly half of all Indian crude purchases in recent months.
India's crude oil imports from Russia rose to 2.8 million barrels per day in July, up from 2.7 million bpd in June, the highest average monthly volume ever, according to Kpler vessel-tracking data.
India's Foreign Ministry said the country remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing and evolving market dynamics.

Sanctions Law Details

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran. The law allows the President to increase the rate of duty up to 100% ad valorem on all goods imported into the United States from a country that was among the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas if such country knowingly makes new purchases of such products after enactment of the bill. President Trump signed the bill into law on Friday.

India's Russian Oil Imports

India is the second-largest importer of Russian crude oil, behind China, while imports from Russia have accounted for nearly half of all Indian crude purchases in recent months. India's crude oil imports from Russia rose to 2.8 million barrels per day in July, up from the previous high of 2.7 million bpd in June, for the highest average monthly volume ever, according to vessel-tracking data by Kpler. Last month, India's imports of Russian crude oil eased slightly from the record-high in July, as Ukrainian attacks on Russian export infrastructure and competition from China for Russia's barrels dented India's intake of Moscow's oil. Going forward, India's purchases from Russia are set to stabilize at a level of just above 2 million bpd, Sumit Ritolia, Manager Modelling Refinery and Oil Markets at Kpler, told Bloomberg at the end of August.

India's Response

India responded to the U.S. bill, saying it would continue to prioritize its energy security. India's Foreign Ministry said, "As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics." India noted that it has discussed the issue at high level with various U.S. officials.