US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said the newly enacted Russia-Iran sanctions law gives President Donald Trump tariff authority that can be used as a tool of US national policy and to influence the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Rubio made the remarks after meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Jaishankar raised India’s interests and concerns over the legislation, which could affect countries that continue to buy Russian oil and gas.
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on September 18. The legislation allows the US administration to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, including India and China.
Rubio Highlights New Tariff Powers
“The law gives the President tariff authority. It’s the first time I think in like 70 years that Congress has granted the President tariff authority. The President is a very strong believer in tariffs as a tool of national policy. So this is good," Rubio told reporters.
Rubio said the legislation gives Trump another instrument that could be used to influence developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and potentially the situation involving Iran. He stressed that the decision on whether and how to use the authority rests with Trump.
“So, what the president has now is a tool in his toolbox that he could use not just to influence what happens in Russia-Ukraine and in that conflict, but potentially what’s happening with Iran as well. How he’ll use it is up to him to decide and up to him to announce," he said.
The law also provides national security waivers, allowing the administration to make exceptions in individual cases, Rubio said.
India Raises Concerns
Jaishankar said he had raised India’s “interests and concerns" over the legislation during his meeting with Rubio.
Trump, speaking at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, said the law gave him “enormous new tariff authorities" over major buyers of Russian oil, including India and China, and said he would use them if necessary.
“Last week, in honour of Senator Lindsey Graham, I signed a powerful new law passed by Congress providing me with enormous new tariff authorities – and if necessary, I will use them," Trump said. “It is time to stop the killing."
India has said it remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people, and it will continue to do so through diversified sourcing, in response to the US’ Russia sanctions legislation.
