Overview
- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act by a 262-159 vote on Wednesday and sent the measure to President Trump after the Senate approved it 86-11 in August.
- If signed, the law would authorize the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that rank among the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas, but any tariff would require a separate executive determination and USTR implementation steps.
- The bill pairs the tariff authority with expanded sanctions on Russian officials, banks, the energy and defence sectors and the so-called 'shadow fleet' of tankers, and it extends Iran-related sanctions negotiated in the package.
- The legislative text sets limits and procedures: exemptions for countries whose gas purchases are under 15 percent of Russian exports and that have cut purchases, periodic USTR reviews reported every 180 days, and presidential waiver authority for national-interest reasons.
- India has formally protested and said it will protect its energy and trade interests, China and Russia warned of consequences, and critics in Congress warned the measure hands the president broad unilateral tariff power that could spur retaliation, higher U.S. consumer costs and strain allied ties.