US Sanctions Law Targets Russia’s Energy Exports, Raising Risks for China’s Oil Trade
Washington’s latest sanctions law targets the shipping networks supporting Russian energy exports and authorises tariffs of up to 100% against major buyers. The tariff threat is significant, but its application will depend on decisions still to be taken by the Trump administration.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, signed on September 18, targets sanctions-evasion networks and Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. It also authorises the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian energy or assist Moscow in circumventing restrictions, potentially exposing major customers including China and India.
Tariff Power: Not an Automatic 100% Levy
The distinction between authorisation and implementation is central to understanding the law. Trump now has statutory authority to impose tariffs reaching 100%, but the legislation does not mean that every country importing Russian oil immediately faces a blanket levy at that rate. The administration retains discretion over which countries are targeted, the tariff level applied, and whether exemptions are granted to governments judged to be reducing their dependence on Russian energy.
That makes the next steps by the White House, the US Treasury, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control more important to shipping companies than the headline tariff figure alone. Implementing guidance will determine which vessels, owners, traders, banks, and maritime service providers fall within the enforcement perimeter.
China Sits at the Centre of Enforcement
China’s position as a leading buyer of Russian crude makes it the clearest test of how aggressively Washington intends to use its new powers. Chinese imports of Russian oil were provisionally estimated by Kpler at a record 2.083 million barrels per day in February 2026, up from 1.718 million bpd in January. The increase included cargoes carried by sanctioned vessels linked to the shadow trade, according to data reported by Reuters.
The commercial exposure is nevertheless uneven. Older tankers operating through opaque ownership structures, frequently changing flags or relying on lesser-known insurers face a different risk profile from mainstream Chinese shipowners, banks, and refiners that maintain access to Western financial and insurance markets.
Enforcement Will Determine Market Impact
The new law strengthens Washington’s ability to move beyond individual ships and pursue the wider networks supporting Russian energy exports. A tariff power, not an automatic 100% levy, will determine the market impact of this legislation. The administration retains discretion over which countries are targeted, the tariff level applied, and whether exemptions are granted to governments judged to be reducing their dependence on Russian energy.
As a result, shipping companies, banks, and refiners must now navigate the uncertainty surrounding enforcement. The distinction between authorisation and implementation is central to understanding the law. Trump now has statutory authority to impose tariffs reaching 100%, but the legislation does not mean that every country importing Russian oil immediately faces a blanket levy at that rate.
Original Article: Trump angin. US Shadow Fleet Law Raises New Risks for China’s Russian Oil Trade — Xindemarinenews