A bipartisan group of senators announced a new sanctions bill that proposes to impose tariffs of up to 100% on exports from India, China and three other countries for purchasing Russian oil. The bill, which was supported by the White House, could be passed before next August, and aims to cripple Russia’s revenues from energy exports and force an end to the Ukrainian war.
“It imposes targeted tariffs, narrowly limited to the five main buyers, up to 100%, with exemption authority that is narrowly tailored and limited,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal of the new bill. “The five main buyers of oil currently are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. For gas buyers, it excludes buyers who purchase less than 15% of total Russian natural gas imports and take significant steps to reduce their purchases.” During a press conference in Washington on Tuesday. The draft law also includes comprehensive sanctions against Russia’s energy, defence, financial and vital industrial sectors.
The bill is a watered-down version of the Russia Sanctions Act, which was introduced in the US Senate in April last year and proposed a potential 500% tariff on countries that buy Russian energy, including India. However, the Russia Sanctions Act failed to advance to a vote due to lawmakers’ concerns about extreme provisions in the bill as well as lackluster support from President Trump. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen explained that the new draft law will include much narrower customs provisions.
According to Senator Blumenthal, the bill could be passed before August since the lawmakers proposing the bill are confident it will get the support needed to pass in the Senate. He added that the US Trade Representative will decide the exact tariff rate for countries facing tariffs.
“The decision on the exact rate will be determined by the US Trade Representative. We have had extensive discussions with him. I believe it will be set at an appropriate level to discourage China, India and other major purchases of Russian oil and gas. Remember there are reporting and certification requirements from the US Trade Representative to Congress if the rate is reduced,” Senator Blumenthal said.
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Lawmakers gathered at Tuesday’s conference also praised the role played by the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham — who died suddenly last week — in leading the legislation. Graham was a major supporter of the Russia Sanctions Act of 2025 and played a key role in pushing the new legislation announced Tuesday before his death.
