US senator Richard Blumenthal Thursday said China and India “better clean up” their act by buying oil from somewhere else instead of Russia.Blumenthal’s remark came after the passage of bill that imposes tariffs on those importing Russian energy.“China and India, to you, you better clean up your act. Buy your oil and gas from somewhere else,” Blumenthal blurted out.The US Congress has passed legislation that could impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries buying Russian energy, sending President Donald Trump a sanctions package aimed at reducing Moscow’s revenues and divided Democrats over the scope of his trade powers.The House of Representatives approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262-159 on Wednesday, local time. The Senate had passed the bill 86-11 on August 7.Trump is expected to sign the legislation after his advisers recommended that he approve it.
What the sanctions bill covers
The legislation is intended to cut off financial resources supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. It targets Russian officials, banks, energy companies and foreign entities that assist Moscow’s military operations.The House Ways and Means Committee said the bill would allow tariffs of up to 500% on Russian goods. It also includes duties of up to 100% on products from countries covered by its provisions targeting Russian oil and gas purchases.The measures focus on major importers of Russian energy and countries that help Russia evade oil sanctions. The US Trade Representative would review the list every 180 days, allowing additional countries to be included.
The House Ways and Means Committee said the bill would allow tariffs of up to 500% on Russian goods.
Exemption for countries reducing Russian gas imports
The bill also contains an exemption for countries whose Russian natural gas purchases account for less than 15% of Russia’s total gas exports, provided they are taking significant steps to reduce those imports. The exemption was outlined by Senator Katie Britt’s office.The legislation gives Trump new powers to impose trade penalties on countries that continue buying Russian energy, while also targeting Iran-related financial and military support.The bill’s passage comes as the US seeks to increase pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine. The proposed tariffs could affect countries that rely on Russian oil and gas, potentially extending the impact of the sanctions beyond Moscow.
India reacts
India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people, and it will continue to do so through diversified sourcing, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said on Thursday while reacting to the US’ Russia sanctions legislation.The US House of Representatives has passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act that authorises President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia and steep tariffs on its trading partners such as India and China in the oil and gas sector.“As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people,” the MEA said in a statement.“It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics,” it said.The MEA said the issue has been “discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors”.ALSO READ | 100% Trump tariffs loom: Russia sanctions bill passed in US; will it make India stop buying crude from Moscow?
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