US law gives Trump power to impose 100% tariffs on India, China over Russian oil

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law, granting him the ability to impose up to 100% tariffs on imports from the world's five largest buyers of Russian oil. The list includes China and India. The act provides Trump with a tool his expansive trade policy has lacked thus far, as his recent trade actions have relied on executive powers.

These powers, previously constrained, are now backed by congressional authorization, eliminating the need for a 150-day expiration period. India had warned prior to the House's passage of the bill that it would take necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests. China, too, responded with similar language, stating it reserves the right to take measures to protect its interests and those of its companies.

The law does not specify any country, instead instructing the US Trade Representative, along with the Secretaries of State and Energy, to identify the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. The tariff rate, up to 100%, is at the president's discretion. Countries whose Russian natural gas imports make up less than 15% of Russia's total gas exports and those taking significant steps to reduce imports are exempt from the tariffs.