Donald Trump Supports Tough Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Possible 500% Tariff Risk

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is strongly considering supporting a new bill that would place strict economic sanctions on Russia. The bill, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, was introduced earlier this year in the U.S. Senate and aims to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters during a Cabinet meeting, Trump said, “They pass it, totally at my option. And to terminate, totally at my option. I’m looking at it very strongly.”

India Could Face 500 percent Tariffs for Buying Russian Oil

One major proposal in the bill is a 500 percent tariff on exports from countries that continue to buy energy products such as oil, gas, and uranium from Russia. This could directly impact India, which has become a major buyer of Russian fossil fuels.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, India bought €4.2 billion worth of fossil fuels from Russia in May, with crude oil making up 72 percent of that total.

Bill Led by Senator Lindsey Graham

The bill was introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, and already has support from 84 co-sponsors. Graham said in a TV interview, “This is an economic bunker buster against China, India, and Russia for Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. I think the bill’s going to pass.”

Republican Senate leader John Thune added that there is growing interest in the bill and that more updates could be announced soon.

Waiver Option and India’s Response

The bill allows the U.S. President to offer a one-time 180-day waiver to a country if it serves America’s national security interests. There is talk of amending the bill to allow a second waiver as well.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who visited Washington recently, said India is tracking the bill closely. He confirmed that the Indian Embassy and Ambassador are in contact with Senator Graham to express India’s concerns over energy security.

“We have made our interests clear. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Jaishankar told reporters.

India hopes for a balanced approach from the U.S. as both countries maintain a strategic partnership despite differing views on Russia.

Published on: Thursday, July 10, 2025, 11:26 AM IST