Revised Russia sanctions bill boosts tariff tools

In mid-July, senators introduced a revised bipartisan measure called the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, with backing from more than 60 senators. The bill is designed to tighten economic pressure on Russia by reshaping how U.S. tariffs and secondary sanctions can be used against foreign buyers of Russian energy. Its broad support in the Senate signals significant political momentum behind stronger measures tied to Russian crude oil and natural gas trade.

The measure replaces an earlier concept that envisioned blanket 500% secondary tariffs with a more targeted approach. Rather than imposing across-the-board duties, it directs authorities to focus on specific high-impact counterparties in the Russian energy ecosystem.

Under the revised text, U.S. authorities would be empowered to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas. The same maximum tariff level could also apply to the five countries deemed most involved in facilitating evasion of existing sanctions on Russian oil. This structure concentrates potential penalties on a limited number of major players rather than on all importers.

By linking tariff authority to both direct purchasing and sanctions evasion activity, the bill seeks to address multiple channels through which Russian energy reaches global markets. The combination of import-based and facilitation-based triggers is aimed at constraining revenue flows connected to Russian crude and gas exports.

The legislation includes a specific exemption framework for certain countries whose Russian natural gas imports represent less than 15% of Russia’s total natural gas exports. To qualify, these countries must also be taking significant steps to reduce those imports over time. This carve-out is intended to differentiate between major and more limited buyers that are moving to cut their dependence.

The exemption structure creates a conditional path for some gas-dependent states to avoid the harshest tariff measures while still aligning with efforts to scale back Russian energy ties. It embeds both quantitative thresholds and behavioral requirements into the sanctions architecture.

Beyond tariff authority, the bill codifies additional measures, including the SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act and the STOP Russia–China provisions. These elements are aimed at addressing broader aspects of Russia’s sanctions evasion and strategic partnerships, particularly those involving maritime logistics and cooperation with China.

The legislation also tightens the presidential waiver process. Any suspension of duties would require a national-interest certification that aligns with standards used in other sanctions laws. This change is intended to limit discretionary relief and ensure that waivers are grounded in a defined national-interest rationale.

On July 19, 2026, President Donald Trump called for the Russia sanctions bill to be broadened further. In a post on Truth Social, he argued that Republicans should add Iran to the Russian sanctions bill. This request highlights interest in potentially extending similar tariff and secondary-sanctions tools to another major geopolitical adversary.

While the current text centers on Russian energy trade and associated sanctions evasion, the call to include Iran introduces the prospect of wider application. Any such expansion would require legislative agreement but underscores that the framework being developed could serve as a template for additional targets.