India, Sept. 19 -- Washington has opened a new chapter in its economic pressure campaign against Moscow after US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday, September 18. The legislation strengthens US sanctions on Russia and gives the administration a new mechanism to impose tariffs of up to 100% on qualifying countries that continue purchasing Russian energy.

The move is particularly significant for India and China, which remain major buyers of Russian crude. However, the law does not simply impose a 100% tariff on India from the moment Trump signed it. Instead, it establishes a framework under which qualifying countries can face additional US duties, while the adminis...