US Russia Sanctions Bill: US Lowers Proposed Tariff to 100%, India and China Still in Focus

By Aditya Nagar | July 15, 2026

US Russia Sanctions Bill: The United States has proposed changes to a Russia sanctions bill that could provide some relief to India and China, the two largest buyers of Russian crude oil.

Trump reduces proposed tariff from 500% to 100%: On Tuesday, senators from both parties introduced a new version of the bill that lowers the highest tariff on countries buying Russian oil and gas to 100%.

The earlier proposal had set this tariff at 500 per cent for all countries.

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US Russia Sanctions Bill: US Revises Russia Sanctions Bill, Gives Trump Waiver Power Over Russian Oil Penalties

Russia Oil tariff Latest News: The revised bill aims to encourage countries to rely less on Russian energy and to impose additional sanctions on Russia.

The latest version lets US President Donald Trump waive the sanctions if he believes it is in the national interest. India and China are among the world's largest importers of Russian crude oil.

US Tariff on Russian Oil Buyers: Revised Bill Hits Top Russian Oil Buyers With Tariffs

US Russia Sanctions Bill: Under the new proposal, the highest tariff would apply only to the top five buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, rather than to all importing countries, as in the earlier bill.

Lindsey Graham Russia Sanctions Bill: The bill was first introduced by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, and it has support from both parties.

Senate aides say it now has 26 co-sponsors, and more support is expected as it moves through Congress.

Media reports that the revised version is seen as more likely to pass than the original proposal.

‘In Honour of Lindsey': Trump Backs Tariff Hike Bill Targeting India, China

Trump Tariff on India and China: US President Donald Trump lent his support on Tuesday to a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill originally championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Trump said Graham wanted stronger economic measures against Moscow "more than any other thing."

US-Russia Sanctions Bill: The bill Trump referred to targets the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, including China and India.

Russia Sanctions Bill Honours Lindsey Graham's Final Mission: Trump

According to Bloomberg, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the bill was meant to honour Senator Lindsey Graham.

Trump said this was Graham's main focus and that he wanted it more than anything, pointing out Graham's long effort to push for tougher sanctions to limit Russia's oil revenues.

Lindsey Graham, who was 71, was a close ally of President Trump and a leading conservative in Congress.

Bloomberg reported that Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen negotiated the sanctions bill together.

India China Latest Update: US Senate Nears Vote on Russia Sanctions Bill Targeting India, China

Global Oil Market: Negotiated the sanctions bill together. The bipartisan bill would let Trump impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, including China and India.

The aim is to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.

Graham spent the past year promoting different versions but had trouble getting support from the White House.

He gained momentum last week with the White House, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Republican senators, and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

A Senate aide said the bill's sponsors now believe they have enough support to pass it in the Senate, but no vote date has been set yet.

Russian Energy Exports: Trump Signals Expanded Russia Sanctions Bill Could Target Iran and Hezbollah

US Russia Sanctions Bill: Bloomberg reported that Trump also suggested the bill could be expanded to include Iran.

Trump said adding Iran would be a major step and could also make it possible to include Hezbollah.

The bill exempts countries that receive less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia, thereby protecting allies like France and Japan.

If implemented, the tariffs could heighten trade tensions with China and India, both major buyers of Russian energy.

This is happening while Washington and Beijing are managing a fragile trade truce that ends in November, before a planned meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September.

Ukraine War Enters Fourth Year as US Senate Pushes Russia Sanctions Bill

The war between Ukraine and Russia is now in its fourth year, with about two million military casualties and nearly $200 billion in damage to Ukraine.

After meeting with Trump on Tuesday, Republican Senator John Kennedy said lawmakers are making a "serious effort" to advance the bill.

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