Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill, Threatens 100% Tariffs on Indian Goods

The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that targets Russian authorities, banks and the country’s energy trade. Meanwhile, giving President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India.

India and China are among the biggest buyers of Russian crude. And the tariff provision is intended in part to put pressure on countries that continue to support Russia’s energy revenues.

It includes an exception for countries that import less than 15 per cent of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those purchases.

The legislation expands sanctions against Russian authorities and financial institutions and targets vessels in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. This has helped keep Russian energy exports moving despite existing Western restrictions.

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Its tariff provisions are aimed at using access to the US market as leverage against countries that continue to purchase Russian energy. Supporters have specifically pointed to China and India as major targets of the measure.

The bill is named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Who spent more than a year negotiating the sanctions package. It also includes measures targeting Iran and extends existing sanctions on the country for five years.

Trump’s backing was important to the legislation’s progress after he had previously criticised efforts to provide further US support to Ukraine. Graham eventually secured Trump’s support after the package incorporated the president’s push for an extension of Iran sanctions.

Trump has repeatedly criticised countries including India over its purchases of Russian crude and accused New Delhi of helping finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine. If enacted and subsequently used by Trump, the new authority could give the administration another mechanism to raise the cost of Indian goods entering the US market because of India’s Russian energy purchases.

Supporters of the Provision Say the Threat is Intended to Discourage Major Economies from Buying Russian Energy.

“These countries have a choice to make about whether they will continue to sustain Putin's aggression,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas.

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The legislation drew opposition from some Democrats. Who supported continued backing for Ukraine but raised concerns about giving Trump broad authority to use tariffs against US allies.

Critics pointed out that the tariffs could ultimately raise prices for American consumers. At the same time, it allowing the administration to target European countries and other US partners.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Had Pushed for Congressional Approval of the Sanctions Package.

The legislation now goes to Trump for his signature. Once enacted, the administration will have additional sanctions and tariff powers to pressure Russia and countries continuing to trade in Russian energy.