U.S. House Approves Sanctions Bill Allowing Trump to Impose 100% Tariffs on Russian Energy Buyers

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on September 16 authorizing President Trump to impose tariffs up to 100% on countries importing significant quantities of Russian oil and gas. The bill, named after late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, passed 262–159 with bipartisan support, following Senate approval in August with a vote of 86–11. The legislation aims to cut off revenue funding Russia's military operations in Ukraine by targeting the five largest importers of Russian energy, widely understood to include India and China.

The bill grants the president broad tariff authority while also imposing new sanctions on Russian energy and defense sectors, as well as the "shadow fleet" of tankers used to circumvent existing Western restrictions. While the bill does not specify target countries by name, multiple U.S. lawmakers and media outlets identified India and China as primary targets. The legislation also extends and strengthens sanctions against Iran. The bill is expected to be signed by Trump within days.

India responded with formal concern, stating it had discussed the measure with U.S. officials at multiple levels and warning that the bill could damage bilateral relations and disrupt global energy markets. Indian officials emphasized the country's commitment to energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens and noted that Russian oil imports help control inflation and inflation-related costs. India indicated it would take necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests. China's Foreign Ministry rejected the bill as lacking international legal basis and characterized it as "long-arm jurisdiction" without UN Security Council authorization, reiterating its opposition to unilateral sanctions not grounded in international law.

Democrats expressed internal divisions over the tariff provisions. House Foreign Affairs Committee senior Democrat Gregory Meeks criticized the bill as having "serious flaws," arguing that the White House-drafted language maximized the president's power to impose new import taxes while minimizing actual sanctions obligations on Russia and its supporters. However, 58 Democrats voted in favor while 152 opposed, and Republican leaders rejected Democratic amendments to narrow the tariff provisions. Analysts noted the bill provides Trump with stronger legal foundation for tariffs than previous executive orders, which the Supreme Court had previously ruled unconstitutional under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.