US Congress passes bill allowing tariffs on Russian oil buyers, names India among targets

The US House of Representatives passed a bipartisan sanctions bill on 16 September by 262-159 votes. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, already approved by the Senate in August with an 86-11 margin, grants the President authority to impose tariffs up to 100% on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil: China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. The bill now awaits US President Donald Trump's signature.

Following passage, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal issued a statement to China and India, urging them to "improve your performance" and source oil and gas elsewhere, signalling potential enforcement action under the new law.