Trump signs Ukraine war sanctions bill that threatens up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or gas, with some exceptions | Fortune
President Donald Trump signed a new sanctions package on Friday that targets Russia’s energy trade and gives the administration authority to levy tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas. The legislation is intended to cut off the financial lifelines that Moscow relies on to fund its war in Ukraine, which entered its fifth year after the February 2022 invasion.
Broad Bipartisan Support
The measure, which had been drafted for more than a year, cleared Congress with strong bipartisan majorities—an 86‑11 vote in the Senate and a 262‑159 vote in the House. It was championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a longtime ally of the president who had just returned from a trip to Ukraine before his sudden death in July. The bill also bears the imprint of Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who helped shape its provisions.
Sanctions on Energy Networks
Among the core elements are sanctions aimed at Russian officials, financial institutions, and a covert fleet of tankers that has kept Russian oil and gas flowing despite earlier restrictions. The law directs the president to impose tariffs that could reach the full 100 percent level on the top five foreign buyers of Russian energy. An exemption applies to nations that receive less than 15 percent of Russia’s natural‑gas exports and have taken demonstrable steps to curtail those imports.
Legacy of Senator Graham
Senator Darline Graham, the sister of the late lawmaker, released a statement on Friday expressing that her brother would have been proud of the vote. She said he believed the bill would “help end the war through squeezing Putin economically and forcing his customers to reevaluate their relationship with Russia.” Blumenthal, speaking after the House approved the measure on Wednesday night, said Graham would be “jubilant about our bill’s passage—and already thinking about the next one.” He added that Putin “is a thug who understands only force and strength, which is what we must show clearly and unequivocally.”
Democratic Concerns
Even with the overwhelming vote, a vocal group of Democratic legislators voiced opposition. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that granting the president “unfettered authority to impose more tariffs on the world” could produce “an adverse economic impact on the American people.” Jeffries questioned why Congress would hand such sweeping power to the executive without safeguards.
Path to the President’s Signature
Getting Trump’s approval proved to be a winding process. The White House initially sought assurances that the president would retain enough flexibility to adjust sanctions as circumstances evolved. The final version of the bill incorporated Trump’s demand for a five‑year extension of the existing sanctions regime on Iran, which helped secure his endorsement. With the president’s signature, the legislation now moves toward implementation, setting the stage for potential tariff actions against major Russian energy customers while maintaining limited exemptions for nations that have reduced their reliance on Russian gas.
Source: fortune.com · 2026-09-19