Eye on India & China, US Senate advances Russia-Iran sanctions

Trump can impose 100% tariffs on Russian oil buyers

Washington: The US Senate has overwhelmingly voted to fast-track a bipartisan bill that would allow President Donald Trump to impose sanctions and tariffs on major buyers of Russian and Iranian oil, including India and China.

The Senate voted 86-12 to invoke cloture on the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, paving the way for a final vote. The legislation also extends key sanctions on Iran until 2031.

The legislation, which has 62 co-sponsors, is widely expected to pass the 100-member Senate. However, it could face resistance in the House of Representatives, where some Democrats oppose expanding Trump’s tariff powers, arguing they could fuel inflation and hurt the US economy.

The bill would authorise tariffs of up to 100% on imported goods from countries that are among the largest purchasers of Russian oil or help Moscow evade sanctions. Apart from India and China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan are also named.

While the measure is expected to pass the Senate, it could face resistance in the House of Representatives, where Democrats oppose expanding Trump’s tariff po­wers, calling them inflationary and economically risky.