US Senate Bill Seeks 100% Tariffs On India, China Over Russian Oil Purchases; 15 European Nations Exempt
Last Updated:July 16, 2026, 07:31 ISTUS senators propose tariffs up to 100% on India, China, and 3 others for buying Russian oil, exempting 15 European nations. The bill also targets Russia's economy and. . .
Last Updated:July 16, 2026, 07:31 ISTUS senators propose tariffs up to 100% on India, China, and 3 others for buying Russian oil, exempting 15 European nations. The bill also targets Russia's economy and Putin. Photo for representationA bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a bill proposing tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India, China and three other countries for continuing to purchase Russian oil, while exempting 15 European nations that still import Russian gas. The legislation, spearheaded by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, targets India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan, which lawmakers described as the largest buyers of Russian oil. Recommended StoriesRussia's 'Hormuz-Like' Crisis: Ukraine's Sea Of Azov Strikes Threaten Key Export Lifeline'They Better Behave': Trump Issues Fresh Warning To Iran, Refuses To Set Deadlines For More StrikesBreach Of FIFA Rules? Argentina Could Face Action Over Falklands Banner After Semi-Final WinBucking The Trend: China Overtakes US In Global Popularity—But India Still Backs Washington, Study FindsThe bill also proposes sweeping sanctions on Russia, including its energy and financial sectors, defence industry, oligarchs and even President Vladimir Putin. “It has been referred to as a tariffs bill, but actually it imposes full blocking sanctions on wide swaths of the Russian economy, including its energy industry, financial industry, defence industrial base, oligarchs, business people, and Vladimir Putin himself," Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut told reporters. Blumenthal said the proposed tariffs were “narrowly targeted" at the five major purchasers of Russian oil and would include limited waiver provisions. “It imposes tariffs that are targeted and narrowly limited to the five major purchasers, up to 100 per cent, with waiver authority that is narrowly tailored and constricted," he said. The bill exempted 15 European countries that continue to buy Russian gas, with lawmakers arguing that such imports account for only a small share of their energy needs and that these countries are actively reducing their dependence on Moscow. “Our European allies are not targeted here. It is very important to understand that we have so narrowly crafted and tailored and targeted this bill to aim at the major purchasers of Russian oil and gas," Blumenthal added. If enacted, it would mark the first time the US Congress explicitly authorises tariffs as a geopolitical tool to penalise countries accused of financing another nation’s war effort. An earlier draft of the legislation had proposed tariffs of 500 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. The bill was unveiled at a Capitol Hill press conference where Republican and Democratic senators paid tribute to Lindsey Graham, who died earlier this week. Republican Senator Katie Britt said Graham had worked “tirelessly, relentlessly" to build support for the measure and believed it would become the most consequential legislation of his career. Senator Roger Wicker called it Graham’s greatest contribution to preserving peace in Europe, while Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen urged Congress to seize the “narrow window" to pass the bill. The move comes weeks after the US proposed 12. 5 per cent tariffs on imports from 54 countries, including India, over alleged failure to curb imports of goods produced using forced labour. News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismKey Questions AnsweredA proposed US Senate bill could significantly impact global oil markets by imposing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil, including India. About the AuthorAbhro BanerjeeCovering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18. com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small even. . . Read MoreLocation :First Published:July 16, 2026, 07:31 ISTNewsworldUS Senate Bill Seeks 100% Tariffs On India, China Over Russian Oil Purchases; 15 European Nations ExemptDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to ourTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy. Loading comments. . . Read More