Trump signs expanded Russia sanctions and energy-tariff powers into US law

The sanctions bill becomes law

President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on September 18, completing a new stage in Washington’s effort to restrict revenue available to Moscow during its war against Ukraine. The White House confirmed the signing and said the statute expands sanctions, tariffs and prohibitions on Russia while extending existing sanctions authorities concerning Iran. The action is a genuinely new development following earlier congressional votes on the legislation.

The law expands the range of Russian officials, financial institutions, state-linked entities, energy-sector participants, vessels and sanctions-evasion facilitators that can face US measures. It also establishes a timetable for additional action. Reporting by The Kyiv Independent and Euronews says the president must act within 30 days on several provisions, making implementation decisions the immediate focus rather than the formal enactment itself.

Tariff powers reach beyond Russia

One provision authorises duties of up to 100% on goods from countries that make qualifying new purchases of Russian crude oil or natural gas and rank among the five largest buyers during the relevant period. It also reaches leading jurisdictions accused of facilitating oil-sanctions evasion. China and India are not named in the statutory description cited by the reporting, but their scale as Russian energy buyers means they could be affected depending on how the administration applies the criteria.

The measure separately provides for duties of up to 500% on imports from Russia, subject to statutory exceptions. At the same time, it gives the president waiver authority after a national-interest certification and an explanatory report to Congress. That flexibility was central to securing White House support, but it also means the economic effect will depend heavily on executive choices, enforcement priorities and any exemptions granted.

Pressure, leverage and implementation risk

Supporters argue that the package can raise the cost of financing Russia’s war by targeting both direct Russian revenue and the foreign commercial relationships that keep energy exports moving. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the signing and called for rapid implementation. The legislation passed with substantial support in both chambers, although some lawmakers objected to transferring broad tariff discretion to the president.

The next 30 days will show whether the administration uses the law primarily as immediate economic pressure or as negotiating leverage. Key questions include which officials, banks, vessels and foreign buyers are designated; how Washington interprets the ranking and purchase thresholds; and whether waivers soften the measures. Governments and energy traders will also watch for retaliation, supply rerouting and higher transaction costs in markets already strained by conflict-related disruption.