Trump signs Russia sanctions bill, gains authority for tariffs up to 100% on energy buyers

Trump has signed legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and granting him power to levy tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy.

• Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on Friday, two days after the House passed it 262-159 and the Senate approved it by 86 votes.
• The law targets Russian political and military officials, foreign networks supporting Moscow's war effort, and Russia's "shadow tanker" fleet used to ship crude despite existing sanctions.
• It gives Trump discretion over implementation, including which countries face tariffs and whether sanctions provisions are waived against certain nations.
• Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it grants Trump excessive tariff authority despite a Supreme Court ruling barring such tariffs under the 1977 Emergency Economic Powers Act.
• The law extends to Iran's energy and weapons sectors and imposes sanctions on President Vladimir Putin.
• It grants Trump tariff authority over the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, most notably China and India.
• The legislation is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Ukraine's staunchest defenders, who died on 11 July.
• The law allows the tariffs on buyers of Russian oil and gas to remain in effect for extended periods, including after Trump's term ends.