Will US Enforce Russia Sanctions Bill Threatening 100% Tariffs On India? Trump Says 'Not Necessary, But...'

Published 30 July 2026 · india

Will US Enforce Russia Sanctions Bill Threatening 100% Tariffs On India? Trump Says 'Not Necessary, But...' Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 10:22 IST

Will US Enforce Russia Sanctions Bill Threatening 100% Tariffs On India? Trump Says 'Not Necessary, But...' Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 10:22 IST The proposed legislation names India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan as countries that could face tariffs aimed at reducing their dependence on Russian energy imports. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump (Source: Reuters) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday commented on the Russia sanctions bill that has cleared the US Senate and could expose India and four other countries to tariffs of up to 100%. The legislation, introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, moved forward on Tuesday as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. India, meanwhile, remains the second-largest buyer of Russian crude oil after China. Addressing reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the bill should be amended to grant him wider powers to impose tariffs on Iran. His suggestion could potentially delay the measure as it moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. “It shouldn’t be necessary, to be honest. But if it’s necessary, I’d like them to add Iran as tariffs, not just as sanctions; I think that’s important; that’s what Lindsey wanted," he said.

What Is The Bill? The bill, which cleared a crucial procedural vote in the US Senate with an 86-12 vote, proposes sanctions against Russian officials and gives the US president the authority to impose heavy tariffs on countries that continue to buy Russian oil and gas. The proposed legislation names India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan as countries that could face tariffs aimed at reducing their dependence on Russian energy imports. If passed, the bill would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy, including India. The decision to remove or continue these tariffs would remain at the president’s discretion. While several Democrats have backed stricter measures against Russia, some have expressed concerns over granting Trump wider tariff powers. They have warned that such action could lead to higher import costs. These concerns could impact the bill’s progress as it moves through the Senate and later reaches the House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene in September. Some Democrats have already indicated that they may oppose the legislation. Before becoming law, the bill will have to clear further procedural hurdles in the Senate before moving to the House for consideration.