U.S. Senate passes Russia sanctions bill that seeks 100% tariffs on India, four others
The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan bill that authorizes the President to impose 100% tariffs on countries that are top importers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The legislation, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to pressure these nations to choose between trade with the U.S. and purchasing Russian energy.
Why it matters
This legislation represents a major escalation in U.S. foreign policy and trade strategy regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with significant implications for global energy markets.
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill to punish Russia and key buyers of its petroleum products, such as China and India, claiming that such trade helps fuel the Ukraine war.
The bill, renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was approved by the Senate by an 86-11 vote.
It allows President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on goods from countries that are the top five importers of Russian oil and gas.
At present China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia are top five importers of oil and gas from Russia.
In addition to Russia sanctions, the bill would extend till 2031 the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.
The bipartisan bill was championed by Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11, and Democrat Richard Blumenthal.
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