Introduction
India faces a renewed trade challenge in Washington as US House lawmakers debate competing amendments to a Russia sanctions bill that could grant President Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries maintaining significant trade ties with Moscow. The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, cleared the Senate last month by an 86-11 vote and now faces House deliberation over how explicitly to target specific countries.
The Competing Amendments
Two amendments are pulling the legislation in opposite directions. Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer has introduced an amendment that would explicitly list countries including India, China, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the UAE, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic as Russia's major trading partners subject to potential 100 percent tariffs. A separate amendment aims to remove the provision granting the president broad discretionary authority to impose such secondary tariffs altogether.
Key Facts
- The Senate passed the underlying Russia sanctions bill by an 86-11 vote last month.
- One House amendment would explicitly name India and nine other countries as potential tariff targets.
- A competing amendment would strip the president's broad secondary tariff authority.
- The bill primarily targets countries continuing to purchase Russian oil or facilitating sanctions evasion.
- India remains the second-largest importer of Russian crude oil after China.
How India Got Here
India was previously subjected to an additional 25 percent tariff in August 2025 over its Russian oil purchases, bringing its total tariff burden to 50 percent at the time, before the US granted a waiver on Russian oil restrictions following energy market disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz being blocked during the US-Iran conflict that began in February 2026. Following that waiver, Indian imports of Russian crude reportedly surged, with June 2026 shipments reaching a record value and representing a substantial share of Moscow's total crude export revenue.
Table: Legislative Status
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| Senate Passage | Approved 86-11 |
| House Rules Committee | Considering Senate amendments |
| Hoyer Amendment | Would explicitly name India among ten countries |
| Competing Amendment | Would remove broad presidential tariff authority |
| Next Step | Full House vote required before reaching the President |
The Legal Structure of the Tariff Threat
Under Section 113 of the legislation, the President would be required, within 30 days of enactment, to raise duties on all goods from a "covered country" to as much as 100 percent ad valorem, layered on top of any existing tariffs. This differs from Section 112 of the same bill, which addresses direct imports from Russia itself and permits duties of up to 500 percent. Importantly, the bill's current text does not automatically name India or China; the tariff would apply only to countries meeting specific statutory criteria tied to Russian energy purchases or sanctions evasion, criteria the Hoyer amendment seeks to make more explicit.
Divisions Within Congress
The debate has exposed divisions among lawmakers over the wisdom of penalising major trading partners like India and China. Some legislators have warned that imposing punitive tariffs on such significant economies risks self-inflicted economic harm to US businesses and consumers reliant on trade with these countries, while supporters of stronger measures argue that continued economic pressure on Russia's oil revenue is necessary to curb funding for its military operations in Ukraine.
Expert Insight
Trade policy analysts note that even if the legislation passes with tariff authority intact, any actual imposition of duties on India would still face separate legal scrutiny under international trade rules, including relevant World Trade Organization provisions, meaning the bill's passage would not automatically translate into tariffs taking effect. The final shape of any tariff exposure will likely depend heavily on how the House reconciles the competing amendments before the bill can proceed to the President's desk.
Key Takeaways
- India faces a renewed tariff threat as the US House debates amendments to a Russia sanctions bill.
- One amendment would explicitly name India among ten countries subject to potential 100% tariffs.
- A competing amendment would strip the president's broad tariff authority altogether.
- The bill would need to pass the full House before reaching the President for signature.
FAQ
Has India already been subjected to these tariffs?
No, the 100% tariff is not automatic and has not been imposed on India; it would depend on the bill's final language and the President's subsequent determination.
Why is India a target of this legislation?
India is among the largest importers of Russian crude oil, which the bill's provisions target as part of broader efforts to reduce funding for Russia's military operations.
What happens next with the bill?
The House Rules Committee is considering the Senate's amendments, after which the legislation would need to pass a full House vote before proceeding to the President.
Conclusion
With competing amendments pulling the legislation in opposite directions, the ultimate scope of any tariff threat facing India remains unresolved. The coming weeks of House deliberation will determine whether India is explicitly named as a target or whether the underlying presidential tariff authority survives the legislative process at all.
