Russia Sanctions Bill: India Among Countries Facing Proposed 100% US Tariffs Under New Amendment
US lawmakers have proposed several amendments to the Russia sanctions bill, which could give President Donald Trump sweeping powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries trading with Russia, including India. The proposed changes come as the legislation moves closer to consideration in the US House of Representatives.
US lawmakers have proposed several amendments to the Russia sanctions bill, which could give President Donald Trump sweeping powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries trading with Russia, including India. The proposed changes come as the legislation moves closer to consideration in the US House of Representatives.
One of the key amendments, moved by Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer, specifically names India, China, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the UAE, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic as countries that could become eligible for 100% duties under the proposed legislation.
At the other end of the debate, Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks has proposed removing Section 113 altogether. The section would give the US President authority to impose broad secondary tariffs on Russia's trading partners. Meeks, who has three co-sponsors for the amendment, has opposed expanding Trump's tariff-levying powers. ‘Nothing Changes’: Donald Trump Says India-US Trade Deal to Remain Intact, Calls PM Narendra Modi a ‘Great Gentleman’.
The proposed amendments were made public by the US House Rules Committee on Monday, September 14 (local time), according to news agency PTI.
What Is the Russia Sanctions Bill?
The legislation, officially called the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, seeks to impose additional sanctions on Russia's leadership and energy sector. It also targets the so-called "shadow fleet" of vessels accused of helping Russia evade sanctions while transporting oil. Why Did the US Impose a 10% Tariff on India Instead of 12.5%?
The bill was passed by the US Senate in an 86-11 vote on August 7. It now needs to clear the House of Representatives before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The proposed legislation has drawn particular attention in India because it could authorise the US President to impose 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil, potentially affecting India's trade with both Russia and the US.
The Senate-passed version does not specifically name Russia's trading partners. Instead, it refers to the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume.
Other Amendments Proposed
Gregory Meeks has also introduced an amendment that would allow the US President to waive sanctions against a foreign person for 90 days, with the possibility of renewing the waiver for additional 90-day periods if doing so is considered "vital to the national security of the US."
Another Meeks amendment seeks to authorise USD 15 billion in direct loans to Ukraine to finance the procurement of defence articles and services.
The House's decision on the proposed amendments could determine how much authority President Trump ultimately receives to impose secondary tariffs on countries maintaining commercial ties with Russia.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2026 12:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
