A bipartisan group of US Senators has introduced a new Bill that proposes tariffs of up to 100 per cent on exports from five countries, including India, over their purchases of Russian oil. Backed by the White House, the proposed legislation is aimed at cutting Russia’s energy revenues and increasing pressure on Moscow as the war in Ukraine continues.
Besides India, the countries named in the proposal are China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. The lawmakers said the measure is designed to focus only on the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas rather than imposing broader trade restrictions.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday, Senator Richard Blumenthal outlined the scope of the proposed Bill.
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“It imposes tariffs that are targeted, narrowly limited to the five major purchasers, up to 100 percent, with waiver authority that is narrowly tailored and constricted. And those five major purchasers right now of oil are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan.
And on gas purchasers, it makes an exception for the purchasers who are buying less than 15 per cent of total Russian natural gas imports and are taking significant steps to reduce their purchases,” he said.
HAPPENING NOW: Before his death Sen. Graham secured White House agreement on our bill to bring sanctions against purchasers of Russian oil. I’m proud to announce the new text & lead a bipartisan group of senators to hold Russia’s war enablers accountable. https://t.co/yAqkWJApqc
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) July 14, 2026
Softer version of earlier proposal
The new Bill is a revised version of the Sanctioning Russia Act, which had proposed tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries importing Russian energy. That earlier legislation did not move forward in the Senate due to concerns over its sweeping provisions and limited support from President Donald Trump.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the latest proposal adopts a more limited approach by narrowing the tariff provisions while retaining broader sanctions on Russia’s energy, defence, financial and industrial sectors.
Tariff rate yet to be decided
According to Senator Blumenthal, the proposed Bill could be passed before August if it secures the required support in the Senate. He also said the final tariff level would not be fixed in the legislation itself but determined later by the US Trade Representative.
“The decision about the exact rate will be determined by the United States Trade Representative. We’ve had extensive discussions with him. I think it will be set at an appropriate level to discourage China, India and other major purchases of Russian oil and gas.
Remember that there are reporting and certification requirements from the US Trade Representative to the Congress if the rate is lowered,” said Senator Blumenthal.
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Lawmakers also paid tribute to late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had played a key role in pushing the earlier sanctions proposal and was closely involved in advancing the new Bill before his death last week.
FAQs:
Which countries are named in the new US Bill?
India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan are identified as major buyers of Russian oil.
What does the proposed US Bill seek to achieve?
It aims to reduce Russia’s energy revenues and increase pressure to end the Ukraine war.
