US Considers 500% Tariffs On India Over Russian Oil, Gets Trump's Nod

United States Senator Lindsey Graham has announced that President Donald Trump has given his approval to a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could have significant implications for countries such as India, China and Brazil. The legislation, formally titled the Sanctioning of Russia Act 2025, is expected to be put to a vote in the US Congress next week.

Graham, in a post on X, said the bill was designed to punish nations that continue to purchase Russian oil, which Washington argues is helping to finance Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. He noted that the measure would provide President Trump with "tremendous leverage" to push countries away from Russian energy supplies.

"This bill will allow President Trump to punish those countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin's war machine. This bill would give President Trump tremendous leverage against countries like China, India and Brazil to incentivize them to stop buying the cheap Russian oil that provides the financing for Putin's bloodbath against Ukraine," Graham wrote.

According to details available on the official website of the US Congress, the bill proposes sweeping penalties, including raising duties on Russian goods and services imported into the United States to at least 500 percent of their value. The legislation has been under discussion for months and is being positioned as a bipartisan effort, with Senator Richard Blumenthal among its co-sponsors.

The announcement comes at a time when Ukraine has been engaged in peace negotiations. On January 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met members of a US delegation, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to discuss diplomatic approaches to ending the conflict. Graham suggested that the timing of the sanctions bill would align with Ukraine's concessions for peace, while accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of continuing to target civilians.

President Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about India's continued purchase of Russian oil. At a recent House GOP retreat, he remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "not happy" with the high tariffs imposed by Washington on Indian imports linked to Russian oil. The tariffs, currently at 50 percent, were introduced in response to what the US sees as India's significant role in sustaining Russia's economy during the war. Trump warned that tariffs on Indian goods could be raised further if New Delhi does not reduce its reliance on Russian crude.

Despite Trump's assertions, India has categorically denied that Prime Minister Modi ever assured Washington of halting Russian oil imports. Officials in New Delhi have clarified that no such conversation took place, reiterating that India's energy policy is guided by affordability and national interest.

The latest developments highlight the growing friction between Washington and New Delhi over energy security, even as both sides continue to stress cordial relations.