Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill, Gains Tariff Powers
Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill, Gains Tariff Powers
The News
President Donald Trump signed the sweeping Russia sanctions bill into law on Friday, the White House said, clearing the way for tougher economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
The law lets the president impose tariffs on the largest purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas — and, according to Reuters, hands him new tariff powers that could last well beyond his presidency, adding fresh uncertainty to a global economy already two years into trade wars.
The package was championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham and cleared Congress with bipartisan majorities in both chambers.
What the Law Does
It authorizes 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil or gas, targets Russian officials and key pillars of the Russian economy, and extends existing sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors.
White House legislative director James Braid called it Congress's first grant of new tariff authority to the executive branch in nearly 40 years.
Timeline
The Senate passes the Russia sanctions package 86-11.
The House approves the bill 262-159, sending it to the president. Fifty-eight Democrats vote yes despite opposition from House Democratic leadership.
Trump signs the bill into law, the White House announces.
Reactions
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who opposed the bill, told TIME that Trump "cannot be entrusted with new powers to impose tariffs that will further raise costs for American families."
Democratic leaders' core objection is not sanctioning Russia but the breadth of the language — whether it gives Trump room to hit U.S. allies with 100% tariffs, not just Russia's energy customers.
The White House frames the new authority as leverage over Moscow, with Braid pointing to the scale of the tariff power Congress just handed the executive branch.
Fifty-eight House Democrats broke with their leadership to back it, and Forbes noted the vote put Ukraine back near the top of Washington's agenda.
What's Next
Trump must announce his tariff targets within 30 days of the law taking effect.
The open question is which countries he designates as top buyers of Russian energy. China, India and Turkey were the three largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas in August, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Trump meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House on Sept. 24, with the new law as fresh leverage.
Also unresolved: whether he uses the law's broad waiver authority to spare Moscow's customers or certain allies, and whether courts can block tariffs imposed under a statute that explicitly authorizes them.
More
The cost question is what Democrats keep returning to. The Yale Budget Lab has estimated that tariffs already in effect cost American households roughly $1,100 a year.
Poll
Should Trump use the new law to put 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil?
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