President Donald Trump spoke about the new Russia sanctions bill that recently passed a key vote in the US Senate. This bill could lead to tariffs as high as 100% on India and a few other countries.
Trump suggested that lawmakers should change the bill so he also gets wide powers to place tariffs on Iran, not just sanctions.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said, “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.”
What the bill actually says
The bill was originally written by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. It passed a procedural vote in the Senate with a strong 86 to 12 result. Its main goal is to pressure Russia further over its invasion of Ukraine.
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The bill proposes sanctions on Russian officials. It also gives the US president power to place heavy tariffs on countries that buy a lot of oil and gas from Russia, mainly India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
If it becomes law, tariffs on these countries, including India, could go up to 100%. The president would also have the power to remove these tariffs whenever he wants.
Not everyone in the Senate agrees. While many Democrats want tougher action against Russia, some are unhappy about giving Trump this much tariff power, fearing it could raise import costs.
This disagreement could affect how smoothly the bill moves forward. It still needs to pass more steps in the Senate before going to the House of Representatives, which returns from break in September.
Why this matters for India
This is not the first time India has faced pressure from the US over Russian oil purchases. Back in August 2025, Trump added an extra 25% tariff on India, accusing the country of “fueling Putin’s war.” This pushed India’s total tariff rate up to 50%, the same level faced by China and Brazil at the time. That decision badly affected trade talks between the two countries.
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Things changed after a war broke out between the US and Iran in February. This caused a blockage in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a global energy crisis that hit many countries, including India, because of this, the US allowed India to restart buying Russian oil through a special waiver.
After getting this waiver, India’s Russian oil imports jumped sharply, rising 34% in June 2026 to their highest level ever.
According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, these imports were worth €4.5 billion and made up about 36% of Russia’s total earnings from crude oil exports.
If this new bill passes, it could create fresh tension between India and the US once again.
Where trade talks stand right now
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India and the US are currently working on a trade deal that could lower the overall tariff on Indian goods to 18%. For now, Indian products entering the US face a 15% tariff, after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier tariff hikes. However, this 15% rate is only temporary and is set to expire on July 24.
FAQs
Which countries could be hit with tariffs?
India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
How high could the tariffs go?
Up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy, including India.
