Trump gets power to slap 100% tariffs on India, China for buying Russian oil

4 min readUpdated: Sep 17, 2026 11:12 AM IST

US President Donald Trump will now have exclusive powers to levy 100% tariffs on nations buying oil and gas from Russia (File photo/AP).

The Russia Sanctions Bill, which grants the US President unprecedented powers to levy 100% tariffs on nations buying oil from Moscow, has cleared the final hurdle. The US House of Representatives passed the bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia on Wednesday. The legislation, officially titled the ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’, received 262-159 votes in its favour. President Donald Trump is now expected to sign it into a law.

The measure gives President Donald Trump new authority to slap duties of up to 100 percent on foreign nations, including India and China, that purchase Russian oil and natural gas.

ALSO READ | US’s Russia sanctions bill: Pressure tool and a dilemma for Trump, a worry for India

Disagreement over tariff executive power

The bill previously passed the Senate with 86:11 votes in its favour, but was stalled in the House due to disagreements over expanding Presidential economic authorities. While 58 Democrats broke rank to join the Republican majority, official Democratic leadership strongly opposed the Bill’s expanded tariff provisions.

US House Representative Gregory W Meeks said: “The Russia sanctions bill is a Trojan horse—unlikely to result in any new sanctions on Russia. At a moment when Americans are already facing soaring gas prices, rising mortgage rates, and high inflation, Congress cannot grant Trump more tariff power that we know he will abuse.”

The Russia sanctions bill is a Trojan horse—unlikely to result in any new sanctions on Russia. At a moment when Americans are already facing soaring gas prices, rising mortgage rates, and high inflation, Congress cannot grant Trump more tariff power that we know he will abuse. pic.twitter.com/L2yDuc8qQI — House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) September 16, 2026

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said that broad tariff waivers and enforcement loopholes leave the powers open to misuse without ensuring guaranteed enforcement against Moscow, reported The Guardian. Meanwhile, Representative Richard Neal said in his address, “What we’re not for is giving more tariff authority to this President.”

ALSO READ | As Russian oil purchases soared, India paid $15 billion of imports in rupees over three months

On the other hand, House Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the Bill’s passage. He said it applies “maximum pressure on the Russian war machine” by cutting off energy revenue streams.

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Congressmen Brian Mast and Michael McCaul said that Russia has “slaughtered innocent lives” for years. The ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act’ will cut off Russian President Vladimir Putin’s money line and force him to the negotiating table to finally bring peace to Ukraine, they said.

Senator Jeane Shaheen said the Bill sends “a message to Vladimir Putin” and countries helping Russia evade sanctions: “There are consequences.”

WATCH!! @SenatorShaheen says bipartisan Sanctions bill sends “a message to Vladimir Putin” and countries helping Russia evade sanctions: “There are consequences.” She called passage “the beginning,” saying the goal is to pressure Putin to negotiate and end the war. 🎥 @RFERL pic.twitter.com/tRnlLoVyMe — Alex Raufoglu (@ralexdc) September 17, 2026

What the Russia Sanctions Bill provides for

The passage of the Russia Sanctions Bill reflects the first major pro-Ukraine measure passed by Congress in over two years. It aims to disrupting Moscow’s energy revenues and closing enforcement loopholes.

It grants the US President discretionary power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major foreign buyers of Russian crude and natural gas.

It imposes targeted sanctions on vessels, logistical entities, and maritime operators used to transport discounted Russian oil below market caps.

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It also provides for penalising high-ranking Russian leadership, state officials, banking institutions, and energy sector enterprises.

While not directly impacting the Middle East conflict, the Russia Sanctions Bill broadens existing enforcement mechanisms against Iran’s military and energy trade.

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