U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed a new Senate bill that could impose a massive 500% tariff on countries continuing business with Russia — most notably India and China, according to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
In an interview with ABC News, Graham explained the bill’s intent: “If you're buying products from Russia and not supporting Ukraine, there will be a 500% tariff on your goods entering the United States. India and China purchase about 70% of Putin’s oil, effectively fueling his war machine.”
The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, reportedly has the support of 84 senators and is expected to be formally introduced in August.
Graham revealed that Trump expressed support for the legislation during a recent golf outing, telling him, “It’s time to move your bill.” However, according to the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration had previously advised Graham to soften the bill’s language — suggesting the replacement of binding terms like “shall” with more flexible alternatives like “may” — to avoid mandatory enforcement.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that while the administration is cautious about disrupting the broader peace process, further sanctions are still on the table.
India and China would be most affected by the proposed tariffs, as they account for nearly 70% of Russia’s oil exports. Bilateral trade between India and Russia reached a record $68.7 billion in the 2024–25 fiscal year, a sharp rise from $10.1 billion pre-pandemic. This growth has been driven largely by India’s surging imports of Russian oil and key commodities.
Both nations have now set a target of achieving $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
