WASHINGTON D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed a controversial Senate bill that could slap tariffs of up to 500% on countries such as India and China for continuing to buy Russian oil and energy products. The move, according to proponents, is aimed at pressuring Russia into peace talks over its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The proposed legislation, championed by Senator Lindsey Graham, targets nations that purchase Russian energy but do not aid Ukraine. It would also give Trump, if re-elected, the authority to waive or enforce the tariffs at his discretion.
“Big breakthrough here,” Graham told ABC News. “If you’re buying products from Russia and not helping Ukraine, then there’s a 500% tariff on your products coming into the United States. India and China buy 70% of Putin’s oil. They keep his war machine going.”
India Under Spotlight
India is the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, purchasing an estimated €4.2 billion worth in May 2025 alone, with crude oil making up 72% of that figure, according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Despite criticism from the West, India has defended its energy purchases as essential to its economy and consistent with national interest and energy security, while also not violating international sanctions.
Trump’s Position and Legislative Prospects
While Trump has not issued a formal statement, Graham said he had privately urged him to support the bill. Trump’s backing is seen as a significant development that could rally Republican support.
“I’ve got 84 co-sponsors for a Russian sanctions bill that is an economic bunker buster against China, India, and Russia,” Graham said. “I think that bill’s going to pass.”
Kremlin Reaction
Reacting to Graham’s remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the senator of long-standing Russophobia and questioned whether such aggressive sanctions would help end the Ukraine conflict.
“These views are well known… Would that help the (Ukraine) settlement process? That is a question for the initiators,” Peskov said.
What’s Next?
The bill is expected to face scrutiny in the U.S. Congress, especially over its potential economic and geopolitical implications. Analysts warn that such tariffs, if enacted, could strain U.S. ties with strategic partners like India, a key player in the Indo-Pacific region and a member of groupings like BRICS and the Quad.
The bill will be taken up for a final vote in the coming weeks, with Trump’s influence now likely to shape its trajectory as both policy and campaign tool ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections.