US House passes Russia sanctions bill, clears way for tariffs on India, China

The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that gives President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries including India and China over their purchases of Russian oil and gas. The US House of Representatives voted 262-159 to pass the bill imposing sanctions and tariffs linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which had already cleared the Senate by an 86-11 vote last month, now heads to the White House. Trump is expected to sign the legislation into law.

The legislation is aimed at increasing economic pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine. It targets Russia's energy and defence sectors and its so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers accused of helping Moscow evade existing sanctions. It also provides for additional sanctions on Iran.INDIA IN FOCUS

For India, the most significant provision is the authority given to Trump to impose steep secondary tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy.

The legislation allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas. India and China have been specifically identified in the House debate as major buyers potentially affected by the provision.

However, the passage of the bill does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on Indian goods. It gives Trump the authority to impose such tariffs under the legislation.

The bill's supporters have argued that the tariff threat would force countries buying Russian energy to reconsider those purchases and increase economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, who piloted the legislation in the House, said the measure was intended to put maximum economic pressure on Moscow and push Putin towards negotiations to end the Ukraine war.DEMOCRATS OPPOSE WIDER TARIFF POWERS

The legislation faced opposition from Democrats, who questioned the decision to give Trump sweeping authority over tariffs.

Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks argued that the bill would hand additional tariff powers to a president who already uses tariffs extensively as a tool of US policy.

Meeks also sought to remove the provision allowing secondary sanctions on Russia's trading partners. The amendment was defeated.

Other proposed amendments, including one seeking to limit the countries eligible for the tariffs and another proposing additional funding for Ukraine to purchase munitions, were also defeated during the House process.INDIA COULD FACE ANOTHER TRADE SHOCK

The bill's passage adds another layer of uncertainty to India's trade and energy relationship with the US.

India has remained a major buyer of Russian crude since the Ukraine war disrupted traditional global energy trade. The new US legislation creates a mechanism under which continued purchases of Russian energy could expose Indian exports to the US to potentially punitive tariffs.

The legislation therefore does not itself announce a new tariff on India, but gives Trump another legal instrument to impose one.

The measure was originally introduced in April 2025 by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and was later renamed in his honour. Trump had backed moving the legislation forward before Graham's death in July.WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

With House passage, the bill will move to the White House for Trump's consideration. If he signs it, the new law would give the President the authority to use secondary tariffs against major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

The immediate question for India will therefore be whether and how Trump chooses to use that authority, rather than whether a 100% tariff takes effect automatically.- EndsPublished By: Nitish SinghPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 04:08 IST