A bipartisan bill in the Senate would allow US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on the biggest importers of Russian energy.
US President Donald Trump issued a new demand for lawmakers to amend a Russia sanctions bill.
Expanded Authorities
The amendment would grant US President Donald Trump additional authorities related to trade policy.
The Russia sanctions bill is named for Senator Lindsey Graham.
Democrats have raised concerns about the expansive tariff powers the bill grants, arguing that these authorities should remain with Congress to maintain checks and balances, while proponents insist such measures are necessary for national security.
Updates
The sanctions bill advanced significantly on Tuesday after a bipartisan group of senators reached a deal to combine Russia and Iran provisions into a single package, followed by an 86-12 Senate procedural vote. While Trump asserted the modification aligns with the wishes of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, international business professor Jonathan Doh described the tariff threat as 'entirely symbolic' compared to existing primary and secondary sanctions. Additionally, data shows the U.S. imported only $1.4 million in goods from Iran in 2025, with art and antiques accounting for 55% of that value.
The sanctions package advanced significantly on Tuesday as a bipartisan group of senators agreed to merge the Russia and Iran provisions, securing an 86-12 vote to proceed. While the bill is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away in mid-July, experts like Professor Jonathan Doh argue that the proposed tariffs on Iran are 'entirely symbolic' given the minimal $1.4 million in trade recorded in 2025. Furthermore, the Trump administration has recently expanded its tariff agenda by imposing or announcing new duties on goods from Canada, Brazil, and the European Union.
The Senate advanced the bill via an 86-12 procedural vote following a bipartisan agreement to combine Russia and Iran provisions into a single package. The measure, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was defended by Trump as fulfilling Graham's wishes, though some experts, such as Professor Jonathan Doh, argue that potential tariffs on Iran would be 'entirely symbolic' compared to existing sanctions. Additionally, data shows that 2025 US imports from Iran totaled only $1.4 million, with artworks and antiques comprising 55% of that value.
The Senate advanced the bill through an 86-12 procedural vote after a bipartisan group of senators reached a deal to combine provisions on Russia and Iran into a single package. This legislation, originally promoted by Senators Lindsey Graham and Blumenthal, allows the White House to unilaterally impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas or those facilitating sanction circumvention. Following Lindsey Graham's unexpected death in mid-July, President Trump claimed the addition of Iran tariffs was Graham's intent, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy described the bill as a significant signal of support.
The Senate voted 86-12 on a procedural measure to advance the combined legislative package. Additionally, President Trump has warned that the European Union will face a substantial tariff due to its imports of Russian LNG, which reached nearly 10 million metric tons in the first half of this year.
The Senate advanced the bill through a procedural vote of 86-12 as a bipartisan group of senators reached a deal to combine provisions on Russia and Iran into a single legislative package. The measure, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would allow the president to apply tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas or those facilitating sanctions circumvention, with the White House holding sole discretion over which countries qualify. Additionally, the bill includes a clause to exempt countries that take 'significant steps' to reduce Russian gas purchases, a determination also left to executive discretion.
