The US Congress passed a bill allowing tariff sanctions on countries purchasing Russian energy, while quietly retaining waivers for its own Russian uranium imports.
Reader brief
Through the Reader lens: The US Congress has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026, granting President Donald Trump authority to impose 100% tariffs on countries like India and China for buying Russian oil. However, the bill includes waivers allowing the US to continue importing low-enriched uranium from Russia for its civilian nuclear reactors until 2028. This move has sparked debates over US policy consistency, as the country still relies heavily on Russia for 26% of its uranium enrichment services to prevent power grid failures.
What to watch next
- Whether President Donald Trump signs the sanctions bill into law.
- How India and China utilize this policy waiver in diplomatic talks to counter US tariff pressure.
- US progress in building domestic uranium enrichment capabilities to meet its self-reliance goals by 2028.
Sources1
All filed from IndiaNamed United States · India · China · Russia · IN-KA · China · India · Donald Trump · Rosatom · Russia · United States Congress