3 weeks ago
US Senate passes Russia bill threatening 100% tariffs on India
The United States Senate has voted to pass a new law that punishes Russia for its war against Ukraine.
The law lets President Trump charge very big taxes, called tariffs, of up to 100 cents on every dollar, on goods the US buys from five countries.
Those countries are China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia, because they buy a lot of Russian oil and gas.
The idea is that if these countries buy less Russian energy, Russia will have less money to fight its war.
The law is named after Senator Lindsey Graham, who helped write it and sadly died in July.
It also adds new punishments for Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, and other Russian leaders, and extends punishments for companies that invest in Iran's energy sector.
The tariffs would not happen automatically — President Trump would get to decide whether to use them.
Before it becomes law, the House of Representatives must also agree, when it returns on August 31.
Some American lawmakers worry the president could use his new tax powers too much, and that Americans would end up paying more.
The US Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by an 86-11 vote, honouring Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11 after a trip to Kyiv.
The bill gives President Donald Trump discretionary authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the top five importers of Russian oil and gas — China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.
The legislation also targets Vladimir Putin, Russian oligarchs, senior officials and financial institutions, and expands measures against older, reflagged oil tankers used to evade sanctions.
The bill extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to 2031, with possible exemptions for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and cutting such imports.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which reconvenes on August 31; critics Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer warn the tariff powers could be 'weaponised with abandon.'
- Who
- The US Senate, which passed the bill 86-11; the legislation was championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, and gives President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs.
- What
- A bill authorising up to 100% tariffs on goods from the top five importers of Russian oil and gas (China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia), along with new sanctions on Russia and an extension of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to 2031.
- Where
- The United States Congress in Washington; the bill now moves from the Senate to the House of Representatives.
- When
- Passed by the Senate on Friday; the House of Representatives will consider it when it reconvenes on August 31.
- Why
- Lawmakers say the tariffs and sanctions aim to squeeze Moscow's war financing by penalising the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas used to fund the Ukraine war.
Critics of the tariff provisions
Supporters of the sanctions bill
Tariff powers for President Trump
Critics of the tariff provisions
Democratic Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer warned the bill hands President Trump 'sweeping new tariff authorities that the president could weaponise with abandon,' letting him dodge holding Russia accountable while adding to his destructive trade wars, with the cost ultimately falling on American consumers.
Supporters of the sanctions bill
Supporters including Darline Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal said the bill forces countries 'keeping Russia's economy afloat' to choose between doing business with America or buying cheap Russian energy; Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch said the bill could finally bring Russia to the negotiating table.
100% tariffs targeting India and China
Critics of the tariff provisions
Senators Rand Paul and Ron Wyden separately opposed the 100% tariff provision on strategic grounds, warning it risks straining US relations with India without materially changing New Delhi's energy calculus.
Supporters of the sanctions bill
Backers argue the tariffs are needed to squeeze Moscow's war financing, pointing to India as the second-largest buyer of Russian crude; Senator Roger Wicker called China and India 'the main culprits' fuelling 'Russia's war machine.'
Key facts
- Senate vote
- 86-11
- Bill name
- Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- Tariff ceiling
- Up to 100% on goods from top five importers; earlier proposals called for up to 500%
- Countries targeted
- China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Slovakia
- Exemption rule
- Countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and cutting such imports
- Iran Sanctions Act
- Extended to 2031
- India's Russian crude imports
- Record 2.78 million barrels per day in July; rose 34% in June
- Next step
- House of Representatives approval; reconvenes August 31
Quotes
Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer
U.S. Democratic Representatives critical of the bill
“"We welcome our Senate colleagues' urgent effort to support Ukraine and punish Russia for its continued illegal war, but this bill would not achieve those goals. Instead, it would allow President Trump to dodge holding Russia accountable and impose yet more tariffs in his destructive trade wars, leaving Americans to foot the bill."”
deccanchronicle.com
““Graham would be proud of what we’ve done,” and that the sanctions and tariffs would stop those he called complicit in Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
indianexpress.com
Darline Graham
Sister of deceased Senator Lindsey Graham, appointed to his seat
“"We welcome our Senate colleagues' urgent effort to support Ukraine and punish Russia for its continued illegal war, but this bill would not achieve those goals. Instead, it would allow President Trump to dodge holding Russia accountable and impose yet more tariffs in his destructive trade wars, leaving Americans to foot the bill."”
theprint.in
businesstoday.in
rediff.com
“"This bill forces those primary countries keeping Russia’s economy afloat to make a simple yet critical choice – a choice between doing business with America or buying cheap Russian energy," said Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister who was appointed to his seat after his death.”
theprint.in
indianexpress.com
telegraphindia.com
deccanchronicle.com
financialexpress.com
+3 more
Randhir Jaiswal
Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs
“We are aware of this development and are closely monitoring the situation.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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