Here’s How Trump’s Using The Graham Act To Trap Russia And Crush Iran
The signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by President Trump on 18 September gives him a huge economic lever to effect massive political change in what is effectively a turbocharged version of the ‘tariff diplomacy’ he has used since taking office for the second term. Its primary purpose is to force both sides into ending the Russia-Ukraine War that started with…
President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on 18 September, providing him with an economic tool to influence political outcomes in Russia and Iran. The primary goal is to end the Russia-Ukraine War, which began on 24 February 2022, by imposing 100% tariffs on goods from Russia's top five crude oil and natural gas importers, as well as a 500% tariff on residual direct Russian imports.
The Act also allows for the freezing of transactions involving Russia's shadow fleet tankers and prohibits U.S. capital markets from processing funds linked to the Russian government.
The Act's secondary purpose is to target China, Iran, and North Korea, as part of Trump's broader strategy against global rivals. This could prove effective in pressuring China and India to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine, while also preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The Graham Act's leverage over both Russia and Ukraine hinges on Trump's ability to impose or delay tariff implementations to achieve desired political outcomes.
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