US Senate Bill Proposes 100% Tariffs on India, China Over Russian Oil Purchases
A bill introduced in the United States Senate seeks to impose 100% tariffs on five countries — India, China, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan — for purchasing Russian oil, while exempting European nations that import Russian gas. The legislation, supported by over 60 lawmakers, aims to deprive Russia of revenue used to finance its war in Ukraine.
The bill, named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, was introduced on Thursday (July 16, 2026) by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. It targets Russia's political leadership, financial institutions, energy sector, and sanctions evasion networks through mandatory sanctions.
According to Senator Blumenthal, the proposed legislation is designed to impose 100% tariffs on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The bill's text defines these as countries that are the world's top five buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas, or are among the top five facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion.
Exemptions are provided for countries, mostly European, whose imports of Russian natural gas account for less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports and which are taking significant steps to reduce those imports. The bill also exempts purchases of Russian uranium by the United States for its nuclear reactors and medical isotopes, as well as activities under U.S.-Russia cooperation in nuclear and space sectors.
The legislation requires the U.S. Trade Representative to reassess the top five purchasers every 180 days and adjust tariff rates accordingly. An earlier version of the bill had sought to impose 500% tariffs.
If enacted, this would be the first time the U.S. Congress explicitly authorises the use of tariffs as a geopolitical weapon to punish countries financing another nation's war effort. Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister who was appointed to complete his term, said passing the bill would honour her brother's commitment to national security and provide President Trump with additional leverage to end the war in Ukraine.
The bill's introduction comes after the U.S. last month proposed a 12.5% tariff on 54 countries, including India, for allegedly failing to prohibit imports of goods produced using forced labour.
