‘Not necessary but…’: Trump reacts to Russia sanctions bill that threatens 100% tariffs on India

Former US President Donald Trump has weighed in on a significant Russia sanctions bill that recently passed the US Senate. The legislation carries the potential to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and four other nations, a move Trump suggested should be modified to include Iran.

Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated his preference for amending the bill to grant him extensive authority to levy tariffs on Iran, in addition to the existing sanctions targeting Russia. "It shouldn't be necessary, to be honest. But if it's necessary I'd like them to add Iran as tariffs, not just as sanctions, I think that's important, that's what Lindsey wanted," Trump stated, referencing the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who authored the bill.

The bill, which cleared a key procedural vote with strong bipartisan support, aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. It specifically targets Russian officials and empowers the US president to impose steep tariffs on countries like India, China, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. The intention is to reduce these nations' reliance on Russian oil and gas. The legislation would allow the president discretion in imposing and potentially removing these tariffs.

However, the proposed expansion of presidential tariff authority has raised concerns among some Democrats, who worry about potential increases in import costs. These concerns could complicate the bill's path as it moves to the House of Representatives. The bill's potential impact on India is particularly noteworthy, as India is a major importer of Russian crude oil. Previous US actions in August 2025 already saw additional tariffs imposed on Indian goods related to energy purchases, straining bilateral ties.

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It shouldn't be necessary, to be honest. But if it's necessary I'd like them to add Iran as tariffs, not just as sanctions, I think that's important, that's what Lindsey wanted.