Sep 19, Kathmandu - US President Donald Trump has signed a new bill on sanctions against Russia.

With this, he has the authority to impose customs duties of up to 100 percent on major countries that buy oil and gas from Russia. It is seen that India and China may be affected by this.

Trump's approval of this law, called the 'Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026', came two days after it was passed by the US House of Representatives. The US House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 262-159. The Senate had already passed it by a vote of 86-11 in August.

The law provides for sanctions on Russian officials, banks, the energy sector, Russia's shadow tanker fleet and foreign entities and individuals that support Russia's military activities. It also extends sanctions on Iran for five years.

It provides for customs duties of up to 500 percent on Russian goods and up to 100 percent on goods imported into the US from the top five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas.

The measure is aimed at major Russian energy buyers and countries that help circumvent sanctions. The list will be re-evaluated every 180 days.

India and China are likely to be subject to such tariffs, as they are major buyers of Russian oil. However, it is not expected that 100 percent tariffs will be imposed immediately. Such tariffs will only come into effect if Trump exercises his authority.

The president also has the power to grant exemptions. The real impact of new tariffs on India will only be clear after the US government sets the rates.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has said that it will take necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests. India has said that it will continue to buy energy from various sources to ensure its energy security.

Delhi has also said that it has been discussing the possible impact of the Russian oil trade with US officials in recent months.

Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers have begun to express concerns that the new customs duties included in the bill could further increase the price of goods in the US.