60-us-senators-back-bill-on-100-pc-tariffs-on-india

As many as 60 US Senators have backed a new bill that proposes a tariff of up to 100 per cent on India and four other countries for purchasing Russian oil. The bill’s content, which was unveiled on Friday, has obtained the backing of US President Donald Trump and could be passed before August, according to the bill’s supporters in the Senate.

 

Senator John Thune, leader of the majority Republican party in the Senate, has signed as one of the bill’s key supporters, which could lead to the passage of the bill in the upper chamber.

 

The bill, Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, proposes granting the Trump administration the authority to place tariffs up to 100 per cent on the five top purchases of Russian oil or natural gas.

 

US Senators clarified earlier this week that the tariffs will target India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan for purchasing Russian oil. The bill also provides for tariffs on the top five countries assisting Russia’s sanctions evasion. The exact tariff rate will be set by the US Trade Representative (USTR).

 

However, the bill provides substantial exemptions for European allies, which continue to purchase natural gas from Russia.

 

“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 five purchasers every 180 days and can adjust tariff rates based on changes in purchasing behavior,” according to a summary of the bill released by the Senators backing the measure.

 

In June, India’s imports of Russian crude surged to record high levels, rising 34 per cent month-on-month. Indian purchases of Russian crude oil were valued at 4.5 billion Euros in June, accounting for roughly 36 per cent of Russia’s exports. This made India the second largest buyer of Russian crude oil behind China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. In June, Washington let a general licence that allowed countries, including India, to purchase energy without attracting US sanctions to expire.

 

Also read: India asks US to drop 12.5 pc tariff, initiate bilateral talks