US Senators Back Bill Proposing 100% Tariffs on India, Four Others for Buying Russian Oil

A significant bloc of 60 U.S. Senators has thrown their support behind a new bill that could impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and four other countries for their continued purchases of Russian oil. Unveiled on Friday, the "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026" has garnered backing from President Donald Trump and proponents believe it could pass before August.

The legislation empowers the Trump administration to levy tariffs on the top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. Senators have identified China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan as the primary targets for purchasing Russian oil, with additional tariffs planned for countries aiding Russia's sanctions evasion. The exact tariff rate would be determined by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), though the bill includes substantial exemptions for European allies still reliant on Russian natural gas.

These exemptions apply to countries importing less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports and actively working to reduce those imports. The USTR is mandated to reassess the top five purchasers every 180 days, allowing for adjustments to tariff rates based on shifting purchasing behaviors. Notably, the bill also carves out an exemption for American purchases of low-enriched uranium for its nuclear reactors.

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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.

India's reliance on Russian crude oil has notably increased, with imports surging 34% month-on-month in June to a value of 4.5 billion Euros. This made India the second-largest buyer of Russian crude oil, behind China, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air. This development follows Washington's decision in June to let a general license expire, which had previously allowed countries like India to purchase energy without facing U.S. sanctions.

This proposed legislation represents a more lenient version of the 2025 Sanctioning Russia Act, which initially suggested tariffs as high as 500%. The current bill narrows the scope to the top five oil and gas purchasers and reduces the maximum tariff to 100%. Crucially, it includes a waiver provision allowing the U.S. President to forgo sanctions and duties under certain conditions.

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The bill calls for USTR to reassess the top 5 purchasers every 180 days and can adjust tariff rates based on changes in purchasing behavior.