US Senate Advances Bill to Impose Up to 100% Tariffs on Nations Buying Russian Energy
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The Senate voted 86-12 to move forward a bill that would allow the president to levy tariffs of up to 100% on the top purchasers of Russian oil and gas, potentially affecting China, India and Turkey.
The US Senate overwhelmingly approved the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026" with an 86-12 vote, sending the measure to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The legislation, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, authorizes the president to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs of up to 100% on exports from the five largest buyers of Russian energy, military equipment or sanction-evasion services, and up to 500% on direct Russian imports.
President Donald Trump has asked lawmakers to add Iran-related provisions, a move that could delay the bill’s progress and raise concerns among some Democrats about the scope of tariff authority. Analysts note that without the Iran amendment, the bill was expected to pass the House given strong bipartisan support for Ukraine.
The bill targets more than 20 Russian officials and companies linked to the defence sector, as well as the country’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers that facilitate sanctions evasion. Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air identify China, India and Turkey as the primary foreign purchasers of Russian energy that could face the new tariffs.
Critics, including Senator Maggie Hassan and the US Chamber of Commerce, argue that the tariff provisions could increase costs for American businesses and consumers and may strain relations with allied nations that also import Russian oil. Academic David Smith of the University of Sydney’s US Studies Centre cautioned that expanding tariff powers to cover Iran-related purchases could further complicate legislative support.
If enacted, the bill would give the United States a legal framework to impose higher tariffs on Russian energy imports than previous measures, which were often challenged in court. The legislation now awaits action by the House, which is in summer recess.