Trump clears Bill to slap up to 500% tariffs on nations buying Russian oil

INTERNATIONAL – USA

9 JANUARY 2026

Doubling down on his pressure on India to stop importing oil from Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump has ‘greenlit’ Russia Sanctions Bill that will empower him to levy up to 500% in tariffs on countries that buy oil or uranium from Russia, according to senior Senator Lindsey Graham.
“This Bill would give President Trump tremendous leverage against countries like China, India, and Brazil to incentivise them to stop buying the cheap Russian oil that provides the financing for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s bloodbath against Ukraine,” Mr. Graham said.
The bipartisan Bill has thus far got 84 co-sponsors in the Senate (out of 100 members), and 151 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, suggesting it will be passed smoothly once brought to a vote.