Spasht.
India-US trade deal and tariffs

Trump signs Russian-oil tariff law, starting a 30-day clock; Congress urges Centre not to 'surrender'

18 Sept 2026 · 5 outlets · 1 min read

AI illustration
In 30 seconds
  1. Trump signed the Graham Act on 18 September 2026.
  2. Tariffs on the top buyers of Russian energy could start after 18 October 2026.
  3. Congress said the law threatens India's energy security, trade and economy.

President Donald Trump signed the Graham Act into law on 18 September 2026, starting a 30-day window after which tariffs could apply to the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas; that deadline fell on 18 October. Reuters reported the law put Prime Minister Modi in a bind, since holding firm on Russian oil could strain ties while a trade deal was pending. On 20 September Congress leaders Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala called the move unjustified and warned against 'surrendering' to US demands.

What it means for India

For a month, Indian exporters faced uncertainty over whether a duty of up to 100% would be added to their US shipments, on top of the existing 10%.

Checked

Claim by claim

?Unverified

Russian crude accounts for over half of India's crude petroleum imports this year.

Said by Anand Sharma, Congress

We did not find official 2026 data for this share. CNBC-TV18 reported Russia's share was 30.3% in 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), a different period, so the figure cannot be checked from the sources found.

The Hindu · CNBC-TV18
✓Verified

The law allowed tariffs within 30 days of enactment, by 18 October 2026.

The White House order confirms Trump signed the law on 18 September; IANS reported the 30-day deadline fell on 18 October.

The White House · IANS
In their own words

What each side says

Congress party

Anand Sharma called the law 'a matter of grave concern' with 'serious implications' for India's energy security, economy and trade. Randeep Surjewala said India has a sovereign right to buy energy at prices its people can afford and accused the government of 'abject capitulation'.

The Hindu
Indian officials

Two Indian sources told Reuters the tensions did not mean New Delhi would abandon hopes of a trade deal with Washington, though India might lean more on deals elsewhere if new US tariffs hit exports.

Reuters
Honest gaps

Not yet known

  • ?Whether India would change its Russian oil purchases before the 18 October deadline.
Who reported this

Sources

Left-leaning · 1Centre · 3International · 1

5 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.

  1. The White HouseImplementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
  2. IANSTrump waives Russia oil tariffs under Graham Act, bringing relief to India
  3. The HinduTrump's tariff decision can hurt energy security, trade, economy of India: Congress
  4. ReutersNew US sanctions bill on Russia puts India's Modi in a bind
  5. CNBC-TV18India, US remain engaged on trade as most exports face 10% forced-labour tariff plus normal duties

Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.