Senate Advances Graham Bill Granting Trump 100% Tariff Power
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- The US Senate voted Tuesday to advance the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," which would give President Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries continuing to buy large volumes of Russian oil and gas.
- India, one of the world's largest buyers of Russian crude since the Ukraine war began in 2022, is among the named targets alongside China, Japan, and some EU countries, threatening to complicate New Delhi's energy trade and ongoing US trade discussions.
- 86 senators voted to move forward with the bill, which also expands Iran-related measures to restrict Tehran's nuclear program and support for terrorism after Trump requested Iran sanctions be added.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington attending Lindsey Graham's funeral and meeting Trump and lawmakers, with the vote timing framed as a tribute to Graham, one of Ukraine's strongest congressional backers.
- Trump has expressed support for the legislation, but some Democratic lawmakers object to its broad tariff powers, arguing they could raise costs for American consumers and penalize US allies.
- The bill still faces House passage before reaching Trump's desk, and even then the 100% tariffs would be discretionary — the president would decide whether and when to impose or lift them.
Why it matters: India built a significant trade in discounted Russian crude since 2022, helping refiners' margins and fuel supply; if Trump chooses to use the 100% tariff authority, that channel narrows and US-India trade friction deepens. Meanwhile, Democratic worries about the bill punishing US allies and raising consumer costs could stall bipartisan momentum despite the 86-vote procedural win.
