US Senate Backs 100% Tariffs on Russian Oil Buyers, India in Crosshairs

The Senate voted 86-11 on Friday to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which sets a maximum tariff rate of 100% on the five largest importers of Russian energy. The bill names China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan as potential targets, but does not include European allies that also buy Russian energy.

The legislation does not automatically impose the tariffs. The U.S. Trade Representative would determine the actual rate, and the president can waive the measures by certifying the decision to Congress, with a review required every 180 days. Sponsors said the tariffs should be high enough to discourage major buyers, but the structure gives the administration flexibility in enforcement.

India has previously pushed back against tariff threats tied to its Russian oil purchases, arguing that singling out New Delhi is unfair when other countries continue to buy Russian energy. Indian officials have said the purchases are driven by the country's energy security needs.

The bill now moves to the House, where Republicans hold a majority. President Trump has indicated support, and his administration helped shape the Senate version. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who worked with Sen. Lindsey Graham on the legislation, said the vote sends a message to Moscow and backs Ukraine.

The Senate action comes as Washington and New Delhi negotiate a trade deal. The tariff measure could give the Trump administration another lever in those talks, which are already complicated by a Section 301 forced-labor tariff imposed last month and an ongoing investigation into excess capacity. The USTR's discretion over the final rate and the president's waiver authority leave room for both sides to manage the issue.