The bill when signed by Trump will give him the authority to levy duties of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian energyThe US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that targets Russian officials, banks and the country’s energy trade, while giving President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India. The ' Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' passed 262-159 and now heads to Trump, who is expected to sign it into law, reported Reuters.

For India, the legislation allows creating a new legal route for Washington to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on Indian imports over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian energy. India and China are among the biggest buyers of Russian crude, and the tariff provision is intended in part to put pressure on countries that continue to support Russia’s energy revenues.

The measure directs the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas. It includes an exception for countries that import less than 15 per cent of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those purchases.

What the Russia sanctions bill doesThe legislation expands sanctions against Russian officials and financial institutions and targets vessels in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which has helped keep Russian energy exports moving despite existing Western restrictions. Its tariff provisions are aimed at using access to the US market as leverage against countries that continue to purchase Russian energy.

Supporters have specifically pointed to China and India as major targets of the measure. The bill is named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who spent more than a year negotiating the sanctions package.

It also includes measures targeting Iran and extends existing sanctions on the country for five years. Trump’s backing was important to the legislation’s progress after he had previously criticised efforts to provide further US support to Ukraine.

Graham eventually secured Trump’s support after the package incorporated the president’s push for an extension of Iran sanctions. The legislation comes after Trump has repeatedly criticised countries including India over its purchases of Russian crude and accused New Delhi of helping finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine.