Trump signs 'Graham Act' imposing up to 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian energy

Why it matters

The law gives the US President sweeping authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas — chiefly China, India, and Turkey — and to target Russia's 'shadow fleet,' financial and energy sectors, and foreign suppliers. If applied aggressively, it could meaningfully cut into Moscow's energy revenues and limit its access to goods usable for weapons production. At the same time, the President retains broad authority to waive tariffs on national security grounds, and analysts cited by Reuters note that the law's immediate impact may be limited given Trump's reluctance to take measures that could raise consumer prices ahead of the November midterm elections.

What happened

On September 18, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' (HR 5334) into law. The bill, co-authored by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, had been introduced in April 2025 with an original proposal for automatic 500% tariffs on imports from countries buying Russian oil. After months of negotiation and a previous block by Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House's request, a revised version was agreed in July 2026. The Senate passed it 86–11 on August 7, 2026, and the House of Representatives approved it 262–159, most sources say on September 16, 2026 (one source says September 17).

The final law authorizes the President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that are among the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, or that help Moscow evade energy sanctions, and up to 500% on goods imported directly from Russia. It expands sanctions on Russia's military leadership, banks, energy and defense sectors, foreign suppliers, and the 'shadow fleet' of tankers, and tightens export controls on goods Russia could use for weapons production. Existing US sanctions against Iran are continued. Tariffs will not apply to countries that purchase less than 15% of all Russian gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce their imports, and the President may waive tariffs on national security grounds subject to Congressional approval.

The signing was announced by the White House and reported by journalist Alex Raufoglu. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump and members of Congress, saying the best tribute to Graham's memory would be the full and swift implementation of the law. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called the signing a 'truly historic day.' Ukraine's Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasyuk, said the practical application of the law would be the key issue going forward.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian outlets frame the signing primarily as a diplomatic achievement for Ukraine. President Zelensky's thanks to Trump and Congress are reported across nearly all Ukrainian sources, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha's characterization of the day as 'truly historic' is given prominent space. Ukrainian coverage also features detailed import data — Chinese, Indian, and Turkish crude oil purchases, French, Belgian, and Spanish LNG imports, and seaborne fuel deliveries to Russia from India, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt — to underline how much Russian revenue could be affected. Vlasyuk's commentary, identifying China, India, and Turkey as the main targets and naming Hungary and Slovakia as additional possible targets, is widely cited. Some Ukrainian outlets, however, also carry journalist Roman Tsymbaliuk's skeptical view, expressed in an interview with Radio NV, that the law will not fundamentally change the situation and that Ukraine primarily needs missiles rather than sanctions talk.

How international sources describe it

International coverage, led by French outlet Le Monde, notes that the bill passed the House with bipartisan support but questions whether the White House would want or be able to afford a trade war with Beijing at a time of strategic vulnerability. Analysts cited by Reuters across multiple outlets suggest the law's immediate impact may be limited, given Trump's reluctance to take measures that could raise consumer prices ahead of the November midterm elections and his general reluctance to take tough action against Russia since returning to office. Both Russia's warning that further US sanctions would complicate a peace deal on Ukraine and India's warning of risks to bilateral relations and global energy markets are highlighted. International outlets also emphasize the bill's evolution from the original 500% proposal to the final 100% rate, and the role of the late Senator Graham as its main sponsor.

Where reporting differs

Sources disagree on the date of the House of Representatives' final vote. Most Ukrainian and international outlets report September 16, 2026, while at least one source records the vote as taking place on September 17, 2026. There is also minor variation in the reporting of the signing time: one Kyiv-time note in the source material incorrectly references 'the night of Saturday, November 19,' which appears to be a textual error for September 19.

Background

The bill originated in the US Senate in early April 2025, co-authored by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. Its original version proposed automatic 500% tariffs on imports from countries that continued purchasing Russian oil and other raw materials. In June 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was trying to force Graham to soften the bill, and Politico noted it could be significantly softened before passage. The legislation was blocked earlier by Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House's request during negotiations with Vladimir Putin, despite support from 81 of 100 senators. A revised version was announced by Graham at a press conference in Kyiv on July 10, 2026; Graham died the following day, July 11, 2026. On July 14, senators presented an updated and somewhat softened version, and President Trump pushed for the addition of Iran-related provisions. The bill was supported by 86 senators in a procedural vote on July 28, formally passed by the Senate on August 7 (86–11), and approved by the House on September 16, 2026 (262–159). Separately, the EU has adopted a phased ban on Russian gas imports: LNG under long-term contracts is to end by January 1, 2027, and pipeline gas under long-term contracts by September 30, 2027.