Trump signs new sanctions law targeting Russia
Law expands sanctions powers and allows steep secondary levies, but they have not all been imposed automatically.
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US President Donald Trump has signed a new Russia law expanding sanctions and trade measures. The possibility of levies of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian energy could particularly affect countries such as China and India, depending on how the law is implemented.
President Donald Trump signed H.R. 5334, the Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, on Friday 18 September. The White House confirms that the law expands existing statutory sanctions, levies and prohibitions against Russia, while also extending existing sanctions against Iran. The measure is aimed at applying economic pressure on Russia during the war against Ukraine. The signing brings the statutory powers into force, but does not mean that every possible new levy has been imposed automatically and immediately.
Under the enacted law and the parliamentary proceedings, Russian officials, financial institutions and structures linked to energy trading may be affected further. One notable provision gives the president the power to impose levies of up to 100 per cent on the largest buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, and on countries that help evade sanctions on Russian oil on a large scale. The final application depends on the precise criteria, exemptions, presidential decisions and implementing measures.
China and India are mentioned in news reports because they are major buyers of Russian energy, but the new law must be carefully distinguished from a generally applicable tariff directly imposed on both countries. The law creates an instrument through which Washington can exert secondary economic pressure on Russia's trading partners. Whether, when and at what rate that instrument is used against a particular country is a separate implementation decision. That distinction matters because a statutory maximum power is different from a tariff that has already been levied.
The underlying strategy is to limit revenue from Russian energy and make it more difficult to use financial and logistical routes to circumvent existing sanctions. Supporters in the US Congress argue that the additional pressure should leave the Russian government with fewer resources for the war and weaken its negotiating position. Opponents and sceptical lawmakers have mainly warned about broad tariff powers and possible economic damage to the United States or partner countries. The debate is therefore about both geopolitical effectiveness and trade costs.
The significance of the law will ultimately depend on enforcement. Sanctions against banks, shipping networks and energy trading require the identification of transactions, cooperation with allies and decisions on exemptions. Secondary levies could increase pressure on Russia, but could also affect trade with major economies. In the coming weeks, the key issue will therefore be which implementing decisions the government publishes. What is now factually established is that the sanctions law has been signed and provides new powers. The precise consequences for China, India and other energy-importing countries will emerge only through its application.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- H.R. 5334 was signed on 18 September and expands sanctions, levies and prohibitions against Russia.
- The law provides the power to impose levies of up to 100 per cent on certain major buyers of Russian energy.
- The actual application of that power requires implementation decisions.
Left
Arguments A left-wing perspective may support targeted financial sanctions against Russian power networks, while being critical of broad trade levies that affect consumers, workers or third countries. Sanctions should demonstrably target war financing and be combined with diplomacy and humanitarian exemptions.
Values international law, protection of civilians, targeted pressure, diplomacy
Consequences Overly broad measures may cause economic damage outside Russia; insufficient pressure may have less effect on Russia's war-fighting capacity.
Centre
Arguments A centrist perspective emphasises coordinated sanctions with allies, clear exemptions and measurable enforcement. Economic pressure is most effective when circumvention routes are closed while leaving room for diplomatic agreements.
Values allied unity, effectiveness, predictability, control of escalation
Consequences Good coordination can increase pressure; unilateral application can cause trade conflicts with partners.
Right
Arguments A right-wing perspective emphasises maximum economic pressure on Russian energy revenues and on countries that help Moscow circumvent sanctions. Secondary levies may be necessary if direct sanctions are undermined by major third countries.
Values national security, deterrence, economic pressure, credible enforcement
Consequences Strong enforcement can limit Russian revenues, but may also raise import costs and increase tensions with major trading partners.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved with corrections · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The law and its signing have been confirmed by the White House and GovInfo. The fact-check corrects the distinction between a statutory power to impose levies and a maximum rate that has already been imposed.
- confirmed Trump signed H.R. 5334 on 18 September 2026. — The White House published the signing, and GovInfo displays the enacted text. source
- confirmed The law could allow levies of up to 100 per cent for major buyers of Russian oil or gas. — The parliamentary proceedings and AP describe this power. source
- incorrect China and India have automatically paid an additional 100 per cent import levy since the signing. — The law grants power subject to conditions; the maximum levy is not automatically in force for every country mentioned. source
- confirmed The ultimate economic impact depends in part on enforcement and implementing decisions. — AP emphasises that the law's effectiveness depends heavily on implementation. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: The United States is now imposing a 100 per cent levy on China and India.Now: The law gives the president the power, subject to conditions, to impose levies of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian energy and certain sanctions evaders. (The law creates a power and sets conditions; the maximum is not automatically an immediately applied tariff.)
Editor's note
The signing and broad scope of H.R. 5334 have been confirmed by primary sources. The precise application of secondary levies is still a matter for implementation, so it is not stated that China or India have already been subjected to the maximum rate. In the headline list, NOS and NU.nl included this subject.Sources
- Congressional Bill H.R. 5334 Signed into Law — The White House
- H.R. 5334 Enrolled Bill — U.S. Government Publishing Office
- Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill, aiming to choke off funds for Moscow in Ukraine war — Associated Press
- Congressional Record, Senate, August 7, 2026 — U.S. Government Publishing Office
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „rusland oekraïne”
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