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US Senate passes bill granting Trump new tariff weapon against Russia
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The U.S. Senate has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act by a vote of 86 to 11, granting President Donald Trump a new tariff weapon against Russia. The bill, which has President Trump's backing, is yet to clear the House but represents a significant expansion of presidential authority to impose tariffs. The legislation is named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who had previously expressed strong support for American military action. The article notes that the president will have considerable discretion in determining which countries and entities are targeted by these new tariff powers, suggesting potential flexibility in their application beyond just Russia and Iran.
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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