India could face tariffs of up to 100 per cent on its imports from the United States under legislation passed by the US House of Representatives targeting countries that continue to purchase Russian energy.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which was passed by the US Senate last month, received final approval in the House with a 262-159 vote. The legislation now goes to US President Donald Trump for his consideration and signature.
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If enacted, the legislation would give Trump the authority to impose duties of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, with India and China among the countries specifically identified in an amendment to the bill.
India Named Among 10 Countries
A Democratic amendment introduced by Congressman Steny Hoyer explicitly names 10 countries that could be subjected to tariffs under the bill’s secondary tariff provisions. They are India, China, the UAE, Turkiye, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan and Slovakia.
However, the amendment does not automatically impose a 100 per cent tariff on India. Any such duty would depend on the legislation becoming law and President Trump subsequently deciding to exercise the authority provided under it.
Defending his amendment, Hoyer said lawmakers could not control the president’s actions but could make clear their position on the conflict in Ukraine.
The legislation has faced opposition from some House Democrats, who have argued that its secondary tariff provisions could give the president broad authority to impose tariffs.
Bill Targets Russian Energy and Shadow Fleet
The proposed legislation seeks to expand sanctions against Russian officials, the country’s energy sector and vessels involved in transporting Russian oil while attempting to circumvent existing sanctions.
It would also provide the US president with authority to impose substantial tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, with the stated objective of reducing their dependence on Russian energy.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal warned countries including China and India that continued purchases of Russian oil and gas could expose them to additional US trade measures.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen also said the legislation was intended to put pressure on countries purchasing Russian energy and on Moscow’s network of vessels used to transport oil.
Democrats Raise Concerns
Several House Democrats criticised the legislation, particularly the extent of the tariff powers it would provide to the president.
Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, described the bill as flawed and argued that its provisions could give Trump extensive authority to impose additional import taxes without requiring the administration to impose corresponding sanctions on Russia.
Meeks said he would support the legislation if the secondary tariff provisions were removed, but Republican lawmakers rejected amendments seeking to narrow those provisions.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries also opposed the bill, saying Democrats would continue to support Ukraine but arguing that the legislation did not provide a clear path towards that objective.
The final House vote saw 203 Republicans vote in favour and seven against, while 58 Democrats supported the bill and 152 opposed it.
India Faces Additional Trade Uncertainty
The proposed tariff authority could add to uncertainty surrounding India-US trade relations, particularly as India remains a major buyer of Russian crude oil.
Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist at ICRA Ltd, told Fortune India that any increase in US tariffs, along with the uncertainty surrounding them, could weigh on India’s growth prospects.
India’s purchases of Russian oil increased sharply following the escalation of the conflict involving Iran earlier this year. At the same time, New Delhi’s economic and energy ties with Moscow have strengthened since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
India-US trade relations, meanwhile, have faced tariff-related challenges during the Trump administration.
The US had previously imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports linked to Russian crude purchases, on top of a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff. The additional Russia-related levy was removed in February 2026, while the reciprocal tariff was reduced to 18 per cent under a US-India trade framework that has yet to result in a significant breakthrough.
If Trump were to impose the maximum 100 per cent tariff allowed under the proposed legislation, it would represent the highest US tariff exposure India has faced during his presidency.
The potential measure would also come against the backdrop of a separate 10 per cent US tariff currently imposed on certain Indian imports in connection with concerns over goods made using forced labour.
For India, the immediate impact will therefore depend on two developments: whether Trump signs the legislation into law and whether he subsequently chooses to use the tariff powers it provides.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
