Highlights:
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Trump has “greenlit” a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, according to Senator Lindsey Graham.
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The bill targets countries purchasing Russian oil, including India, China, and Brazil.
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India currently faces cumulative US tariffs of 50%.
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New legislation could mandate tariffs of at least 500%.
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The bill expands visa bans, export controls, and asset-blocking sanctions.
President Donald Trump has approved a sweeping bipartisan sanctions bill aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia and countries that continue trading with it. The proposed legislation could significantly raise tariffs on imports from nations buying Russian oil, with India, China, and Brazil among those most exposed. For India, the move could escalate existing US tariffs from 50% to as high as 500% if the bill is enacted.
The bill marks a major step in Trump’s approach to using trade policy as leverage in foreign policy. By backing the legislation, Trump has signaled support for aggressive measures designed to isolate Russia economically while penalizing third countries that maintain energy trade ties with Moscow.
Trump Endorses Sanctions Bill, Says Senator Lindsey Graham
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed Trump’s approval of the legislation following discussions at the White House. Speaking to reporters, Graham said, “After a very productive meeting today with President Trump on a variety of issues, he greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill. I look forward to a strong bipartisan vote, hopefully as early as next week.”
Graham said the bill is intended to strengthen Washington’s negotiating position by extending sanctions beyond Russia itself. According to him, the legislation will “allow” Trump to “punish countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin’s war machine”.
Trump’s backing suggests the administration is prepared to move quickly once the bill reaches the floor of Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have indicated support, raising the likelihood of passage.
Trump, India, and Rising Tariff Pressure
India has emerged as a central focus of the proposed sanctions framework. Since the start of the Ukraine war, India has increased imports of discounted Russian crude, a strategy aimed at managing domestic energy costs. This approach has repeatedly drawn criticism from Washington.
In August 2025, Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as a “penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil.” That action followed an earlier 25% tariff imposed during Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” trade initiative. Together, the measures brought total US tariffs on Indian imports to 50%.
Under the new legislation, those tariffs could increase dramatically. The bill states that Trump “must” impose tariffs of “at least 500 percent” on “all goods and services imported into the United States from countries that knowingly engage in the exchange of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products”.
Brazil faces a similar tariff structure, while China is also expected to be among the countries closely monitored under the proposed law.
What the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 Includes
The legislation, formally titled the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, sets out a broad framework for punitive measures against Russia and its commercial partners. It defines several conditions that could trigger sanctions, including refusing to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine, violating any negotiated settlement, launching another invasion of Ukraine, or attempting to overthrow or undermine the Ukrainian government.
If any of these conditions are met, the bill authorizes and, in some cases, requires the US president to impose a range of penalties. These include visa bans on individuals, property-blocking sanctions administered by the Treasury Department, and export controls overseen by the Commerce Department. The export restrictions would apply to US-produced energy products destined for or transiting through Russia.
The mandatory tariff provision is among the most far-reaching elements of the bill. By setting a minimum tariff level of 500%, the legislation removes much of the president’s discretion once a violation is established.
Trump Signals Willingness to Act Quickly
Trump has recently reinforced his willingness to use tariffs as a negotiating tool. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he commented on relations with India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” while noting that India trades with Russia and “we can raise tariffs on them very quickly.”
The remarks underline Trump’s view that trade measures can be deployed rapidly to influence foreign governments. His comments also suggest that India’s position could become more precarious if it continues purchasing Russian oil while the bill is under consideration.
Potential Impact of Trump-Backed Tariffs
If enacted, the legislation could represent one of the most aggressive uses of trade policy in recent US history. A 500% tariff would effectively shut out affected countries from the US market for many goods, reshaping trade flows and diplomatic relationships.
For India, the move would pose a significant challenge, given its reliance on the US as a major export destination. The same applies to Brazil and China, both of which maintain substantial trade volumes with the United States.
Trump’s support for the bill highlights his broader strategy of combining sanctions and tariffs to pursue foreign policy objectives. As Congress prepares to debate the legislation, the focus will remain on how Trump intends to balance economic pressure with diplomatic engagement, and how targeted countries respond to the prospect of sharply higher tariffs.
