US Congress Strikes Russia, India & China Brace for 100% Tariffs

In a move shaking global trade, the US House of Representatives has just passed a tough new Russia sanctions bill, giving President Donald Trump the power to slap up to 100% tariffs on countries like India and China for buying Russian oil and gas. The 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' cleared the House by a vote of 262-159 on Wednesday, after sailing through the Senate last month. This means the powerful legislation now heads straight to President Trump's desk for his signature, setting the stage for a potential trade showdown. This aggressive push aims to cut off money to Moscow, which the US claims is funding Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, by directly hitting major energy buyers. The bill also targets Russia's energy industry, its military, and even the 'shadow fleet' of ships used to get around existing sanctions. The timing is incredibly tight, coming just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to visit the US, adding extra pressure to already tense relations. Many Democrats in the US opposed the bill, not because they don't support action against Russia, but because they worry about giving President Trump even more power to impose tariffs. All eyes are now on President Trump, who has indicated he will sign the bill. The big question is whether he will use these new powers immediately to impose tariffs or keep them as a strong bargaining chip. India has already voiced strong concerns, stating it will take 'all necessary measures' to protect its energy security and trade interests, warning that such tariffs could hurt international energy markets and bilateral ties with the US. The coming days will show how New Delhi and Beijing choose to respond, and if this new law escalates into a full-blown global trade conflict.