- Sixty US Senators back bill to tariff Russian oil buyers.
- Proposed 100% tariffs target India’s Russian oil purchases.
- It targets five nations, exempting some European allies.
As many as 60 US Senators have backed a new bill that proposes tariffs of up to 100% on India and four other countries for purchasing Russian oil. The legislation, titled the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, has the backing of US President Donald Trump and could be passed before August, according to its supporters in the Senate.
Trump-Backed Bill Gains Momentum
The proposed legislation would authorise the Trump administration to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.
Senator John Thune, the Republican majority leader in the Senate, is among the key supporters of the bill, strengthening its prospects in the upper chamber.
India Among Five Countries Named
US Senators earlier this week clarified that the proposed tariffs would target China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan for purchasing Russian oil.
The legislation also provides for tariffs on the five countries deemed to be assisting Russia in evading sanctions. The exact tariff rate would be determined by the US Trade Representative (USTR).
Exemptions For European Allies
The bill includes exemptions for European allies that continue importing Russian natural gas.
According to a summary released by the Senators backing the measure, “The bill exempts countries whose Russian natural gas imports account for less than 15 percent of Russia’s total natural gas exports and that are taking significant steps to reduce those imports. The bill calls for USTR to reassess the top 5 purchasers every 180 days and can adjust tariff rates based on changes in purchasing behavior.”
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The legislation also exempts American purchases of low-enriched uranium used in US nuclear reactors.
India’s Russian Crude Imports Hit Record High
India’s imports of Russian crude reached a record level in June, rising 34% month-on-month.
Indian purchases of Russian crude were valued at 4.5 billion Euros during the month, accounting for roughly 36% of Russia’s exports, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. India became the second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China.
In June, Washington allowed a general licence permitting countries, including India, to purchase energy without attracting US sanctions to expire.
Softer Version Of Earlier Proposal
The latest bill is a revised version of the 2025 Sanctioning Russia Act, introduced in the US Senate in April last year.
The earlier proposal sought tariffs of up to 500% on countries purchasing Russian energy, including India.
Under the revised legislation, the maximum proposed tariff has been reduced to 100%, while its scope has been narrowed to the five largest purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas instead of applying to a broader group of countries.
President Can Waive Sanctions
The proposed legislation also contains a waiver provision allowing the US President to suspend sanctions and duties on a country, provided the President submits a justification to Congress and certifies that doing so is in the national interest.
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