President Trump signs sanctions law against Russia and Iran — OilPrice
US President Donald Trump on September 18 signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which, according to OilPrice, increases tariff and financial pressure on the Russian Federation, an aggressor state, as well as on countries that purchase Russian oil and natural gas.
Tariffs for energy buyers
The publication writes that the law provides for the possibility of imposing 100% tariffs on goods supplied to the United States by the five largest buyers of Russian oil or gas, as well as five jurisdictions that facilitate sanctions evasion. OilPrice names China, India, Turkey, Brazil and Azerbaijan among such countries.
The document also provides for a mandatory duty of up to 500% on remaining direct imports from Russia, the blocking of transactions involving tankers of Russia’s shadow fleet, and restrictions on the US capital market concerning funds linked to the Russian government.
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Trump’s statement at the UN
During his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 22, Trump linked the new tariff powers to efforts to stop the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to OilPrice, he said that he was prepared to use these powers if necessary and added that he was working with Moscow and Kyiv to reach an agreement.
OilPrice notes that the application of the 100% tariffs depends on the decision of the US president. The publication also reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the law, calling it a “peace through strength” approach.
Pressure on Iran and China
The author of the article believes that the new law could increase Washington’s pressure on Iran and China. According to OilPrice, the United States is also applying the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, whose validity has been extended until 2031. Last week, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong intermediaries and companies that, according to the publication, supported Iran’s industrial and transport networks.
