Trump is about to get 'unchecked authority' to impose tariffs of up to 100% on top trading partners

Key Points:

• The Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 with an 86-to-11 vote, aiming to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Kremlin officials, and target Russia’s energy sector amid its war on Ukraine, with the House expected to approve it next month.
• The bill grants the president authority to impose tariffs up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas, including allies like the EU, South Korea, Japan, China, and India, but allows for waivers if deemed in the U.S. national interest.
• Senators Rand Paul and Ron Wyden unsuccessfully attempted to remove the bill’s tariff authority, with concerns raised that the tariffs could harm American families and grant excessive power to the president.
• Some lawmakers, including Sen. Raphael Warnock, expressed unease about the broad tariff powers given to the president but supported the bill after assurances that tariffs would be lifted once countries reduce imports or sanctions evasion.
• Experts warn the bill’s ambiguous language could allow the president to use tariffs as leverage in unrelated trade disputes, highlighting a longstanding issue of Congress delegating broad trade authority to the executive branch with minimal limitations.