US House Advances Russia Sanctions Bill With Provision For 100% Tariffs On India
In Short
The US House has passed a Russia sanctions bill that would give Donald Trump up to 100% tariffs on India and other big buyers of Russian energy.
Share :
The US House of Representatives has advanced legislation that could give President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and other countries purchasing oil and gas from Russia.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared a key procedural vote in the House on Tuesday, September 15, after two Democratic lawmakers joined Republicans in supporting the measure. The bill is expected to face a final House vote on Wednesday.
House Moves Bill Forward In 214-211 Vote
The measure was advanced by a narrow 214-211 vote, a result that reportedly came as a surprise to Democratic leaders in the House.
On Monday, Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, opposed the legislation. He argued that the proposed law could give Trump broad authority to impose tariffs without sufficient safeguards.
The House action follows the US Senate's passage of the legislation last month. The Senate approved the bill by an 86-11 vote.
India And China Could Face Higher Tariffs
The legislation seeks to strengthen sanctions targeting Russia's leadership and energy sector, as well as vessels operating in what US authorities describe as Russia's “shadow fleet”, which is accused of helping Moscow circumvent sanctions imposed on its oil trade.
The bill would also authorise Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that are major buyers of Russian oil and gas, potentially including India and China.
The Senate version passed on August 7 does not specifically identify India or China by name. Instead, it refers to the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume.
The proposed measures come as Washington continues efforts to restrict revenues from Russia's energy exports, which the US says help finance Moscow's war against Ukraine.
Bill Still Needs House Approval
Despite clearing the latest procedural hurdle, the legislation has not yet become law.
The bill cannot be sent to the President for signature until it has been approved by the House. The timing could be important because MPs are set to return on November 9 after the US midterm elections, having started an early recess on Thursday.
Ukraine Support Groups Lobby In Washington
The House vote comes amid increased lobbying in Washington by groups supporting Ukraine.
The Ukraine Action Summit, organised by the American Coalition for Ukraine, is currently taking place as advocates push lawmakers to maintain US support for Kyiv.
The proposed sanctions legislation forms part of broader US efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia by targeting its energy revenues and countries that continue to purchase Russian commodities.
For India, the measure could introduce additional trade uncertainty if the tariff authority is ultimately enacted and subsequently used by the Trump administration. However, the House has not yet passed the bill in final form, and no 100% tariff on Indian imports has been imposed under this legislation at this stage.
