How US Senate Russia sanctions could spell 100% tariffs for India, China

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that a new Russia sanctions package has passed an initial major test in the US Senate, raising the prospect of steep tariffs on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy. The measure, titled the “Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026,” advanced this week by an 86-12 vote and now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives, which is on summer recess. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Washington for the late senator’s funeral, observed the vote from the Senate gallery and welcomed it on X.

The bill is designed to increase pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine by targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, defence-linked companies and networks used to move Russian energy despite sanctions. Al Jazeera says it would allow the US president, using powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, to place tariffs of up to 100 percent on exports to the US from the biggest buyers of Russian energy or military equipment, or from countries helping Russia evade sanctions. Direct Russian imports could face tariffs of up to 500 percent.

China, India and Türkiye are among the countries most exposed because of their Russian energy purchases, according to data cited from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said the measure could become more complicated after President Donald Trump directed lawmakers to add Iran-related tariff powers, a change that may concern Democrats and delay progress.

Critics, including Senator Maggie Hassan and the US Chamber of Commerce, argue the tariff powers could raise costs for American businesses and consumers while affecting US partners such as Türkiye. Supporters see the bill as a stronger legal route to expand economic pressure on Russia.