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US Senate passes bill granting Trump new tariff authority against Russia and Iran
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The U.S. Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on August 7th, 2026, by a vote of 86 to 11. The bill, which has the backing of President Donald Trump, grants the president new tariff authority against Russia and Iran. However, the legislation gives the president significant discretion over which entities or countries are targeted. The bill still needs to pass the House of Representatives. The article notes the bill is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had previously expressed strong support for American military action. The new tariff weapon represents an escalation in economic pressure against Russia and Iran, but its implementation will depend on presidential discretion.
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But the president will have plenty of discretion over who gets hit
Publication date: August 13, 2026 | 3 min read
Potential target | Photograph: Getty Images
“LOOK WHAT we’ve done here,” remarked Lindsey Graham on learning in February that Donald Trump had launched America’s war against Iran. “I almost cried.” The Republican senator, who died last month, might have teared up again at the latest display of American muscle.
On August 7th, the Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act by a vote of 86 to 11. The bill is yet to clear the House, but has the backing of Mr. Trump.
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Trading arm”
From the August 15th 2026 edition
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U.S. Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill with 100% Tariff Authority