Trump ‘in favour’ of bill threatening 500% tariff on India for Russian oil purchase

By Admin

08 Jan, 2026

The administration led by Donald Trump is reportedly backing a tough new sanctions proposal that could have major implications for countries importing Russian energy, including India. The proposed legislation, titled the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, threatens tariffs of up to 500% on nations that continue purchasing Russian-origin oil, gas, and uranium.

Background of the sanctions push
The proposed bill emerges amid continued efforts by the United States to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022. While diplomatic negotiations remain ongoing, the US administration is also considering stronger economic pressure on Moscow to cut off funding for its military operations.

Trump ‘greenlights’ the bill
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated that President Trump has “greenlit” the bipartisan sanctions bill following a recent meeting. Speaking on X (formerly Twitter), Graham said the meeting was highly productive and expressed hope that the legislation could see a strong bipartisan vote as early as next week, according to Associated Press.

Tariffs of up to 500% on Russian energy trade
The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 allows the US administration to impose steep tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries that “knowingly engage in the exchange of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products.” The intent is to severely restrict Russia’s revenue from energy exports, which US lawmakers argue are financing the ongoing war.

Leverage against China, India, and Brazil
Graham said the bill would give President Trump the authority to “punish countries” that buy discounted Russian oil. He specifically mentioned China, India, and Brazil, stating that the legislation would create “tremendous leverage” to push these nations to stop purchasing Russian energy supplies. According to Graham, cheap oil revenues are helping fuel what he described as President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

Drafting and bipartisan support
The bill has been primarily drafted by Graham along with Senator Richard Blumenthal. It aims to empower the US government to impose tariffs and secondary sanctions on buyers of Russia’s oil, gas, uranium, and other key exports, in an effort to cut off financial lifelines supporting Russia’s military actions.

Diplomacy versus sanctions
Ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict has been a key pledge on Trump’s agenda, with the former president previously stating he wanted to end the war on his first day in office. The Trump administration is currently attempting to broker peace through negotiations, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner playing key roles. However, the passage of the sanctions bill has been delayed in Congress, as Trump earlier preferred to prioritize diplomatic solutions over punitive measures, according to Bloomberg.

What lies ahead
With Trump now reportedly in favour of the bill, momentum may be building in Congress to pass one of the toughest sanctions packages yet against Russia and its energy trade partners. If approved, the legislation could significantly impact global energy markets and reshape trade relationships, particularly for major importers of Russian oil like India.