A new US sanctions law allows tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, broadening pressure beyond Russia itself to major energy buyers including China, India and Turkey.

The measure is designed as a secondary trade restriction rather than a direct tariff on Russian oil and gas entering the United States. Its focus is on goods imported into the US from countries that continue buying Russian energy, using tariff pressure to curb Moscow’s export revenue and to limit trade flows linked to Russian crude after processing in third countries.

Available reporting indicates the law gives the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on those imports. Countries identified as most exposed include China, India and Turkey because of their continued purchases of Russian fossil fuels. The original report also said Hungary and Slovakia could face potential exposure, while European buyers may face risk depending on how they comply with the European Union’s phaseout of Russian gas imports.

The report cited import volumes for the first eight months of 2026, including 585 million barrels of Russian crude imported by China, 453 million barrels by India and 44 million barrels by Turkey. It also cited Russian LNG imports by France, Belgium and Spain. Under the EU phaseout timetable referenced in the report, restrictions on Russian LNG are due to take effect on January 1, 2027, followed by pipeline gas on September 30, 2027.

What remains unclear is how broadly the US will apply the law in practice. The exact product coverage, evidence standards for determining Russian origin, and treatment of oil, LNG and refined fuels have not been fully detailed in the available information. The law also includes exceptions, and presidential waivers could substantially alter its practical reach.

Why It Matters

This expands Russia sanctions from a direct restrictions framework into a broader trade and supply-chain tool. By targeting imports from third-country buyers of Russian energy, Washington could increase pressure not only on commodity flows but also on manufacturers, refiners and exporters tied to those markets.

For broader markets, the significance lies in its overlap with inflation, energy security and global trade fragmentation. If enforcement is aggressive, the measure could add friction to cross-border supply chains and deepen policy risk across commodities, industrial trade and macro sentiment, all of which can feed into overall risk appetite across financial markets, including crypto.