September 21, 2026: President Donald Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law, giving the administration expanded authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including India.

The legislation, formally identified by the White House as H.R. 5334, authorises and expands US sanctions, tariffs and other restrictions targeting Russia while extending existing sanctions on Iran.

However, India has not automatically been hit with a 100% tariff under the law. The legislation gives the US president discretion over whether to impose such tariffs and at what rate.

What The New Law Means For India
The legislation establishes a mechanism targeting countries that continue to purchase Russian energy.

According to the law’s framework described in the supplied report, the US Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretaries of State and Energy, is to identify the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil and natural gas by volume over the preceding 12 months.

The list is to be reassessed every 180 days.

India is currently among the countries exposed to this provision because of its purchases of Russian energy.

(Source: Pragativadi)