# US Senate passes tariffs on top Russian oil buyers

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-tariff-proposal-on-russian-oil-imports
> Updated: 2026-09-09T09:31:29.000Z. Sources: 77. Developments: 18.

In early August, the U.S. Senate passed the ‘Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ with an 86-11 bipartisan vote. The legislation authorizes 100% tariffs on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude and gas—India, China, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Slovakia—and extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031. The bill targets Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers and imposes sanctions on high-ranking Russian officials.

As the bill moves to the House, India’s reliance on Russian energy remains a central concern. While July data showed Russian crude accounted for 50.83% of India’s total oil imports, reports for FY2026 indicate Russia accounts for approximately 30% of India’s crude imports. These potential tariffs complicate ongoing negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between India and the United States. Indian officials are seeking tariff terms that provide exporters a competitive advantage over regional rivals such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Discussions currently cover market access, digital trade, and supply-chain resilience.

By early September, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated the BTA is ‘more or less’ finalized. Both nations are working on a framework to establish preferential market access to bridge the gap between India’s most-favoured-nation tariffs and the U.S. executive tariff system. However, significant risks persist. Beyond the Graham Act, a proposal by Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on generic medicines in 2028—unless manufacturing is reshorred to the U.S.—poses a threat to India’s pharmaceutical industry. While U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor reported ‘real progress’ regarding the BTA, the legislation faces hurdles in the House of Representatives regarding expanded presidential tariff powers.

## Claims

- The US Senate passed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 with an 86-11 vote. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The bill authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The bill includes sanctions against Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Exemptions may apply to countries importing less than 15% of Russian gas that actively work toward decoupling. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Democratic House members have called the bill's tariff provisions unacceptable due to excessive presidential authority. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Russia's share of India's crude oil imports reached 48% in June/July. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The act targets the Russian 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers used to circumvent Western embargoes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- India imported 5.5 billion euros worth of Russian crude in July. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Crude oil accounted for 87% of India's total Russian fossil fuel purchases in July. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Russia supplied less than 100,000 barrels per day to India in 2021. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- India was the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in July 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: India-US trade deal nears finalization amid potential tariff challenges

India and the US are nearing a trade deal, but proposed US sanctions on Russian oil importers and tariffs on generic medicines could create significant friction and economic impact.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-us-trade-deal-nears-finalization-amid-potential-tariff-challenges

### 2026-09-05: India faces U.S. tariff risks over Russian oil imports

India faces potential U.S. tariffs of up to 100% under new legislation targeting Russian energy importers, complicating bilateral trade negotiations and threatening export competitiveness.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-faces-us-tariff-risks-over-russian-oil-imports

### 2026-09-04: Ukraine urges U.S. Congress to pass Russia and Iran sanctions

Ukraine is pressing the U.S. Congress to pass a sweeping sanctions bill against Russia and Iran before the November elections and a shortened legislative session.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-urges-us-congress-to-pass-russia-and-iran-sanctions

### 2026-09-02: India-US trade relations face tension amid proposed US tariffs

India and the US face trade tensions over proposed US tariffs on Russian oil importers and generic medicines, despite efforts to negotiate a Bilateral Trade Agreement and create dedicated industrial parks forUS

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-us-trade-relations-face-tension-amid-proposed-us-tariffs

### 2026-08-15: India and US maintain trade commitment amid potential 100% tariff legislation

India and the U.S. continue trade negotiations despite potential 100% tariffs linked to U.S. sanctions on Russian energy importers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-and-us-maintain-trade-commitment-amid-potential-100-tariff-legislation

### 2026-08-14: India's Russian oil imports hit record high amid US tariff threats

India's Russian oil imports hit a record 50.83% in July, but proposed 100% US tariffs on Russian oil buyers threaten to increase India's import bill by up to $10 billion and drive up inflation.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-russian-oil-imports-hit-record-high-amid-us-tariff-threats

### 2026-08-12: India seeks energy sovereignty amid US tariff threats over Russian oil

India seeks to strengthen energy sovereignty through biofuels while resisting potential US tariffs linked to Russian oil purchases, according to industry officials and the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-seeks-energy-sovereignty-amid-us-tariff-threats-over-russian-oil

### 2026-08-10: India's Russian crude oil imports reach record 48% share

India's Russian crude oil imports hit a record 48% share of its total imports in July, amid potential US threats to impose 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russias-share-of-indias-oil-imports-hits-record-high-amid-us-sanction-threats

### 2026-08-08: US Senate approves intensified sanctions on Russia and extension of Iran sanctions

The U.S. Senate has passed a measure to tighten Russian energy sanctions and extend Iranian sanctions to 2031, amid reported diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and Iran over Strait of Hormuz security.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-senate-approves-intensified-sanctions-on-russia-and-extension-of-iran-sanctions

### 2026-08-08: US Senate passes sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russian energy exports

The US Senate passed a bipartisan bill authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on major importers of Russian energy, including China and India, to curb Moscow's war funding.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-senate-approves-major-energy-sanctions-against-russia

### 2026-08-03: Russian oil freight costs to India surge amid Black Sea attacks

Russian oil freight rates to India jumped ~50% after Black Sea attacks, while Russia aims to raise August exports from its western ports by 4%.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-oil-freight-costs-to-india-surge-amid-black-sea-attacks

### 2026-07-31: India Reaffirms Energy Security Priorities Amid US Sanctions Bill on Russian Oil

India’s MEA says energy security for its 1.4 billion people is paramount as it monitors a U.S. Senate bill targeting top Russian oil importers, pledging continued diversification and diplomatic engagement.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-reaffirms-energy-security-priorities-amid-us-sanctions-bill-on-russian-oil

### 2026-07-30: Russian oil sales surge to India and China amid US warnings

U.S. warnings accompany a surge in Russian crude purchases by India and China, with discounts narrowing and imports reaching near‑record levels amid Middle‑East supply constraints.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-oil-sales-surge-to-india-and-china-amid-us-warnings

### 2026-07-29: US Senate Moves Toward Tougher Russia Sanctions While Moscow Extends Fuel Export Ban

The US Senate voted 86‑12 to broaden Russia sanctions to third‑party buyers of Russian oil and gas, while Russia extended its diesel and gasoline export ban until Jan 2027 to protect domestic fuel supplies.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-senate-moves-toward-tougher-russia-sanctions-while-moscow-extends-fuel-export-ban

### 2026-07-18: US Senate Bill Targets India, China with 100% Tariff on Russian Oil Imports

US Senate proposes a bipartisan bill imposing 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, chiefly India and China, to cut Russia's energy revenue; India says it is closely monitoring the proposal.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-proposes-100-tariff-on-russian-oil-for-india-china-and-other-buyers

### 2026-07-16: India confronts 100% U.S. tariffs on Russian oil as Russia's energy sales surge

The U.S. Senate proposes 100 % tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian oil, including India, while India’s imports of Russian crude hit record levels and several EU nations increase Russian gas imports.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-100-tariff-proposal-on-russian-oil-buyers-targets-india

### 2026-07-16: China Rejects U.S. Bill Targeting Russian Energy Purchasers

China condemned a U.S. Senate bill to levy up to 100% tariffs on top Russian oil and gas buyers, calling it illegal and threatening retaliatory measures.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-rejects-us-bill-targeting-russian-energy-purchasers

### 2026-07-13: US revises Russia sanctions bill, caps tariffs at 100% for India, China

US Senate revises Russia sanctions bill, cutting proposed tariffs on top oil‑importers from 500% to 100%, targeting India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan, with exemptions and presidential waiver power.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-senate-revises-russia-sanctions-bill-cutting-tariff-threat-on-india-and-china

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Cite as: US Senate passes tariffs on top Russian oil buyers. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-tariff-proposal-on-russian-oil-imports