# Trump’s TACO Test on Russia

> Trump’s new sanctions bill tests if he’ll follow through on Russia after past chicken-outs
- Title: Trump’s TACO Test on Russia · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Trump’s new sanctions bill tests if he’ll follow through on Russia after past chicken-outs Trump faces a critical choice to impose tariffs on Russia’s top…
- Keywords: lindsey graham, trump, putin, russia, sanctions, tariffs, china, india, nfl, u.s. house, white house, taco
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/trump-taco-test-russia-sanctions-china-india-12454019
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lindsey graham, trump, putin, russia, sanctions, tariffs, china, india, nfl, u.s. house, white house, taco
## New sanctions bill passes
The U.S. House approved Lindsey Graham’s bill targeting Russian banks and oil buyers with up to 100% tariffs on China and India.

> The bill, officially titled the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026', targets Russian banks, officials and Moscow's shadow fleet.
## Trump’s power to act
The bill lets Trump impose up to 500% tariffs on Russian goods but requires him to certify national interests before waiving sanctions.

> Section 115 stipulates that the president can waive any sanction, restriction, or duty if he certifies that doing so is in the 'national interests of the United States.'
## Past chicken-outs
Trump previously backed down from sanctions after giving Putin 50 days to end the war, cutting the deadline to 10 or 12 days.

> If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that.
## China and India spared
After Trump’s ultimatum, China escaped tariffs while India faced a 25% tariff on oil purchases for two years.

> China, the far bigger economic opponent and Moscow’s top customer, escaped punishment.
## TACO theory
Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong coined 'TACO' to describe Trump’s pattern of backing down on Russia after tough talk.

> The Graham bill gives Trump his best chance yet to disprove that theory.
## New test ahead
Trump must now decide whether to impose tariffs on Russia’s top buyers or back down without consequences.

> The Graham bill gives Trump his best chance yet to disprove that theory; it also leaves him with no excuse if he talks tough again and fails to follow through.
## Key takeaway

Trump faces a critical choice to impose tariffs on Russia’s top buyers or back down