US President Donald Trump on Friday signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law, acquiring congressionally backed authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian oil — a list that by current import volumes includes China and India.
The external affairs ministry said the legislation’s implications — “for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market” — had been “very clearly articulated” to US interlocutors at high levels in recent months. India had warned on Thursday, hours after the House passed the bill, that it was determined “to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
“We have our own independent foreign policy.
We will not follow any country,” he told news agency ANI, adding that the government would “take every strong step for the strength and stability of our country, our population of 140 crores.” On Saturday, Union minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reiterated India’s position.
But the bill’s backers have left little doubt about where the pressure is aimed. “To China and India: You better clean up your act. The White House ’s role in securing passage remains unclear. But recent reports in US media indicate the administration may have helped push the bill through by persuading opposition Democratic lawmakers to vote for it. The president can waive tariffs on any country by certifying to Congress that the waiver serves the national interests of the United States . Indian exporters expressed alarm. “If the US imposes high tariffs, it will completely halt our exports to the US. He noted the actual impact could be assessed only after Washington announces the tariff rate, product coverage and implementation schedule.
China too responded on Saturday, in similar language to India’s statement on Thursday, with the ministry of commerce saying it reserved the right “to take all necessary measures” to firmly safeguard China’s interests, “as well as the legitimate and just rights and interests of Chinese companies. Last month, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said Trump’s support had been muted even as legislators sought to give him expanded tariff authority. To permanently lift them, he must certify that the country has stopped purchasing Russian energy and has provided “reliable assurances” it will not resume. No importer can afford this high level of tariffs,” said SC Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, according to PTI. Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said Washington could use the tariff threat to pressure India into reducing Russian oil purchases and accepting an unequal trade agreement. “India should protect its energy security and continue buying Russian crude while it remains commercially competitive,” he said.
Buy your oil and gas somewhere else,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said after the House passed the bill on Wednesday.
