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‘500% tariffs…’: US senator targets Russia’s oil trade partners; India also in crosshairs
Standing on Ukrainian soil, US Senator Richard Blumenthal called for a bold economic offensive against Russia — a 500% tariff on any nation that continues buying Russian oil, gasoline, or petrochemicals. The proposal, revealed during a press conference in Kyiv, aims to choke the Kremlin’s war chest and ratchet up pressure on global buyers like China and India
It marks a sharp escalation in Washington’s legislative efforts to curb Moscow’s aggression, coming on the heels of a bipartisan sanctions bill introduced in April with Senator Lindsey Graham.
The bill spearheaded by Senator Richard Blumenthal would impose 500% tariffs on all countries purchasing Russian oil, gasoline, or petrochemicals. “That means 500% tariffs on India and on China — which buys 70% of these goods — and on anyone else who continues these purchases,” Blumenthal said.
These penalties would come into force if Russia refuses to enter good-faith peace talks with Ukraine or acts again to compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty post any agreement. The sweeping sanctions would also extend to imports from countries that continue buying Russian gas, uranium, and other critical commodities.
The Senate could begin considering the bill as early as next week.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump stated the US is “very close to making a deal with India.” He also confirmed that representatives from Pakistan are scheduled to visit Washington next week. “Pakistan representatives are coming in next week. We’re very close to making a deal with India,” Trump said at Joint Base Andrews.
Still, he cautioned that tensions between India and Pakistan could upend any potential agreement. “And I wouldn’t have any interest in making a deal with either if they were going to be at war with each other,” he warned.
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