Trump set to sign bill allowing up to 100% tariffs on Russian energy buyers

President Donald Trump plans to sign a bipartisan bill that would authorize tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, and on five countries helping Russia evade existing sanctions. The legislation, promoted by the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, cleared the Senate with strong support in early August and was approved by the House of Representatives on September 16 by a vote of 262-159.

It targets major energy buyers such as China, India, Turkey, and the European Union, with exemptions for nations importing less than 15% of Russia’s gas and actively reducing those imports. The bill also sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, key financial institutions like the Central Bank, Sberbank and Gazprombank, and foreign entities supporting Russia’s defense and energy sectors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had called for swift action, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the move as unfriendly and detrimental to peace talks.