WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has advanced legislation that could authorise President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, with India specifically named in a proposed amendment as a country eligible for such duties. The measure has cleared a procedural hurdle and is expected to face a final House vote.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which seeks to tighten sanctions on Russia’s leadership, energy sector and vessels involved in sanctions evasion, was passed by the US Senate in an 86-11 vote on August 7. The Senate version did not specifically name individual countries, instead referring to the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume.
A House amendment introduced by Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer would explicitly name India, China, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Slovakia, the UAE, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan as countries eligible for duties of up to 100 per cent under the bill’s secondary-tariff provisions. The amendment itself would not automatically impose a 100 per cent tariff on India; it would make India eligible for such duties should the legislation become law and the President exercise the authority.
The measure has also triggered opposition over the extent of presidential tariff powers. Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks has proposed removing the provision granting the President broad secondary-tariff authority, arguing that the legislation would give the administration sweeping new powers.
The House’s latest procedural vote to advance the bill was 214-211, with two Democrats joining Republicans, according to reports. The final provisions concerning India will depend on the amendments adopted during the House process and subsequent legislative action.
The legislation comes amid continuing US efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine. The proposed secondary tariffs would target major purchasers of Russian energy, while the bill also seeks to extend sanctions related to Iran.
