U.S. Senate Proposes 100% Tariffs on Nations Buying Russian Oil to Curb War Funding
A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate seeks to impose 100% tariffs on five countries, including India and China, for purchasing Russian oil. The legislation, supported by over 60 lawmakers, aims to cut off revenue streams to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which are used to finance the war against Ukraine. The bill, named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, was introduced by Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal and the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. It targets the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and those facilitating sanctions evasion. European nations are exempt if their imports account for less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports and if they are actively reducing these imports. The bill also calls for a reassessment of the top purchasers every 180 days to adjust tariff rates.