US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, risking 100% tariffs on India, China

A comprehensive new sanctions package targeting Russia has cleared its first hurdle in the US Congress, and if enacted, could impose massive tariffs on countries like India and China, which continue to purchase Moscow's oil.

The bill, introduced in the US Senate this week, is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, whose funeral was attended by many world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, earlier this week.

Senate action

The “Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026” passed the Senate by a sweeping 86-12 vote, sending it to the House for further consideration. The late senator, a staunch Ukraine supporter, died unexpectedly this month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Washington for the funeral, watched the vote from the gallery. On X, he wrote: “An honor to witness the vote – 86 senators voted yes. This is the first step toward implementing Lindsey's plan, and definitely a step toward peace. It is crucial that this tool works effectively.”

After clearing the Senate, the bill now awaits action in the House, which is in its summer recess.

This week, US President Donald Trump asked lawmakers to amend the bill to extend tariffs to Iran. Analysts say this could further delay the bill if it erodes Democratic support.

David Smith, an associate professor at the US Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, told Al Jazeera: “One of the things they're concerned about is how the tariff authority relating to Iran will be expanded. They might accept the tariff authority on Russia, but they're concerned about tariff authority on countries buying Iranian oil, which means China. I think there'll be a number of Democrats saying this authority should be limited to sanctions, not expanded to tariffs.”

If no additional Iran-related provisions are included, Smith said the bill would pass when the House returns, thanks to strong Democratic support for Ukraine.

Bill details

The bill uses both sanctions and tariffs to target Russia and cut off the financing that sustains the war in Ukraine.

Key provisions include new sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and more than 20 senior officials and companies cooperating with Russia's defense industry. The bill also targets Russia's “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and networks evading international sanctions on energy exports.

The bill grants the president authority to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Under it, the president could impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods exported to the US from five countries that purchase leading Russian energy, military equipment, or that facilitate Russia's evasion of sanctions.

Tariffs of up to 500% could also be imposed directly on imports from Russia into the US. In 2025, the US imported $3.8 billion in goods from Russia.

Countries at risk

According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), China, India, and Turkey are potential targets as they are among the largest buyers of Russian energy.

China has previously retaliated with tariffs on US goods. Even Pay, director of Trivium China, a Beijing-based consultancy, said the US might hold off on tariffs because Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. However, she said Trump would welcome the option after the Supreme Court struck down many of his tariffs in February.

“If passed and signed into law, this would give Trump what he's long wanted – congressional authorization to impose high tariffs on China and a select few other countries importing Russian oil,” Even Pay told Al Jazeera.

India is in a difficult position as it tries to diversify energy supplies disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz incident. Maia Nikoladze, deputy director of the Economic Diplomacy Initiative at the Atlantic Council, said India has requested and received US sanctions waivers to continue buying Russian oil in the near term.

“India will face a trade-off between ensuring energy security and managing US tariff risks, which could lead it to continue seeking waivers and exceptions,” Nikoladze said.

Criticism

Critics, including Senator Maggie Hassan, argue the bill gives Trump too much tariff authority and could harm US taxpayers and allied nations.

Turkey buys Russian energy but is a NATO ally, while Brazil – a major non-NATO partner – and Singapore – a major security cooperation partner – also purchase Russian oil products, according to CREA data.

On X, Hassan wrote that she supports sanctions on Russia but “doesn't think tariffs, which US businesses and consumers pay, will help Ukraine win.”

The US Chamber of Commerce also opposes the bill, arguing that the real cost will be passed on to US businesses and consumers, as with previous tariff rounds.

According to Smith, while many of Trump's tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court, Russia-related tariffs could be more sustainable because they are built on a firmer legal basis, being constructed under IEEPA authority.

“Previously Trump went back to old statutes and invoked tariff authority in ways never seen before, which the courts found less lawful. This is new legislation drafted to lawfully expand tariff authority,” he told Al Jazeera.