A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a new bill that proposes imposing up to 100% tariffs on countries that continue purchasing oil from Russia, with India and China among the five nations named in the legislation.
The proposed measure also targets Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan, while exempting 15 European countries that still import limited quantities of Russian natural gas. According to the lawmakers, those nations are actively reducing their dependence on Russian energy and their imports represent only a small portion of their overall energy needs.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said the legislation is far broader than a tariff proposal. He explained that the bill seeks to impose comprehensive sanctions on key sectors of the Russian economy, including its energy industry, financial institutions, defence sector, major business figures, and even Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Blumenthal added that the tariff provisions have been deliberately limited to the five largest buyers of Russian oil. Under the proposal, tariffs of up to 100% could be imposed, although the bill also provides narrowly defined waiver provisions in specific circumstances.
If approved, the legislation would mark the first time the US Congress explicitly authorises tariffs as a geopolitical tool aimed at countries accused of helping finance another nation’s military operations through energy purchases.
An earlier draft of the proposal had suggested imposing 500% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil and gas. However, lawmakers later revised the bill, reducing the proposed tariff ceiling to 100% while narrowing its scope.
The legislation was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and was presented as a tribute to late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who had reportedly played a key role in shaping the proposal before his passing. Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers praised Graham’s efforts, describing the bill as one of the most significant initiatives of his political career.
Republican Senator Katie Britt said Graham worked tirelessly to bring the legislation together, while Senator Roger Wicker described it as a major contribution toward preserving stability in Europe. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen also urged Congress to move quickly, calling it a critical opportunity to strengthen pressure on Russia.
The bill will now go through the legislative process, where it must secure approval from both chambers of Congress before it can become law. If enacted, it could have significant implications for global energy trade and countries that continue importing Russian crude oil, including India and China.
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