Trump-backed Russia sanctions bill passes US Senate, targets India, China
The US Senate has advanced a bipartisan sanctions bill that could significantly raise the stakes for countries continuing to buy Russian energy, including India and China, by giving President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas.
The legislation, which received Trump’s backing, cleared a key procedural vote in the Senate with 86 senators voting in favour and 12 against, comfortably crossing the threshold required to move the bill forward.
The vote came shortly after lawmakers paid tribute to late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who had spearheaded the legislation for more than a year, and met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Capitol Hill.
Bill targets Russia’s energy revenues
The proposed legislation seeks to tighten economic pressure on Moscow by expanding sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions and the so-called “shadow fleet” used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports.
A key provision authorises the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from countries identified as major buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, placing India and China among the nations that could potentially be affected.
However, the bill also includes exemptions for countries that import less than 15 per cent of their natural gas from Russia and are actively reducing their dependence on Russian energy supplies.
At the request of President Trump, lawmakers also expanded the legislation to strengthen sanctions targeting Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.
Tribute to Lindsey Graham
The bill has been named in honour of Senator Lindsey Graham, who played a central role in building bipartisan support for the legislation before his death earlier this month.
Supporters argue that reducing Russia’s energy revenues is essential to limiting President Vladimir Putin’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine.
“There is no greater way to honour Senator Graham’s legacy than to move forward with this bipartisan agreement,” a bipartisan group of senators said in a joint statement.
Concerns over sweeping tariff powers
Despite broad bipartisan support for increasing pressure on Russia, some Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that the tariff provisions would grant President Trump wide discretionary powers over international trade.
Critics also warned that higher tariffs could increase costs for American consumers and potentially strain relations with US allies.
Final approval still pending
While the Senate has advanced the legislation, it is not yet law.
The House of Representatives has already begun its summer recess and is not expected to consider the bill before September, meaning the proposed sanctions and tariff provisions cannot take effect unless both chambers approve the legislation and it is signed into law.
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