House Passes Russia Bill Allowing 100% Tariffs on India — SkimNews
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation 262-159 on September 16, 2026, authorizing the President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and other top importers of Russian oil and gas, while also targeting Russia's energy sector, individuals, and "shadow fleet" tankers.
- President Trump plans to sign the bill, which amends the Senate-passed "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" — named after Senator Graham, who died July 11, 2026 — and the President retains authority to waive sanctions in the national interest.
- India's Ministry of External Affairs pushed back, stating commitment to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people via diversified sourcing and vowing to "protect its trade and economic interests," warning the sanctions would have implications for the bilateral relationship.
- The bill targets the top five largest importers of Russian crude or gas by volume that make new purchases 30+ days after enactment, plus countries facilitating sanctions evasion, with exemptions for nations reducing gas imports or where gas accounts for less than 15% of Russia's total gas exports.
- Senator Richard Blumenthal warned China and India directly: "You better clean up your act. Buy your oil and gas somewhere else," shortly after the House vote.
- Opposition lawmakers, including Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and Republican Rand Paul, opposed the bill over sweeping presidential tariff powers; House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks estimated it would cost at least $3,000 per American family if Trump restricted tariffs to the top five Russian oil importers.
Why it matters: India — already hit with cumulative 50% U.S. tariffs since July 2025 for buying Russian oil — now faces a potential 100% levy and is warning of bilateral fallout. Critics including Gregory Meeks argue the bill's real impact is handing Trump sweeping tariff authority over U.S. allies, at an estimated $3,000 per American family if fully deployed against the top five importers.
Ask SkimNews
