Now Reading: US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India faces 100% tariff risk
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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India faces 100% tariff risk
US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India faces 100% tariff risk
The US Senate has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, an 86-11 bipartisan bill that would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to…
The Story in Brief
The US Senate has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, an 86-11 bipartisan bill that would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas. The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives. India, among the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude, could be affected, but tariffs are not automatic. The bill gives the president broad discretion to waive, delay or modify penalties, the Times of India reports.
The final version is softer than earlier drafts that proposed 500% tariffs, and includes exemptions for countries importing less than 15% of their energy from Russia or reducing that dependency. The bill also extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through 2031. Sources disagree on the vote count: NDTV did not give one, while Indian Opinion reported 86-11. The bill also targets Russia's shadow fleet, banks and oligarchs.
The Indian Opinion
The bill's bark may be worse than its bite. Trump already lifted a 25% tariff on Indian goods last year after a trade deal, and he has discretion to waive the new penalties. Critics who call this a blow to India should note that New Delhi's purchases have continued despite years of Western sanctions. The real test is whether Trump uses the 100% authority or quietly exempts India, as he did with China. Watch for the House vote and Trump's first waiver decision, not the Senate sound and fury.
Sources (3): ndtv.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, indianopinion.org
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
