Trump-backed Russia sanctions bill, championed by Lindsey Graham, eases tariff threat on China, India – what to know

In a major relief to India, the United States Senate has watered down its proposed Russia sanctions legislation, easing concerns for countries such as India that continue to import Russian oil. From 500 per cent, the revised bill reduces the maximum tariff to 100 per cent while restricting the sanctions to only five largest buyers of the Russian crude oil and natural gas.

First introduced in April 2025, the earlier draft of the Sanctioning Russia Act proposed sweeping tariffs on all countries purchasing Russian energy. late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away days ago, had pushed the bill along with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Just a day before his demise, Graham had got President Donald Trump's backing to move the bill forward after months of negotiations.