U.S. House advances Russia sanctions Bill that seeks 100% tariffs on India, others; set for final vote - The Hindu

**U.S. House Moves Forward with Russia‑Sanctions Bill Targeting Countries Buying Russian Oil**

Washington – The U.S. House of Representatives voted Tuesday to advance legislation that would give the president sweeping authority to impose a 100 % tariff on imports from any foreign nation that continues to purchase Russian crude oil after a set deadline. The bill, a key component of a broader strategy to pressure Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, includes an amendment that specifically names India, along with several other oil‑importing countries, as potential targets for the punitive duty. Lawmakers say the measure is designed to force a rapid decline in Russia’s oil revenues, which have helped fund its war effort, while also signaling that the United States will not tolerate “benefiting from aggression” by third‑party states.

The amendment, championed by a coalition of Republican representatives, was attached to the “Strengthening the United States’ Energy Security and Sanctions Against Russia Act.” If enacted, the tariff would apply automatically once the Treasury Department certifies that a nation has imported more than a prescribed volume of Russian oil after the stipulated cutoff date, which is currently set for the end of 2024. Critics in both parties argue that the provision could strain U.S.–India relations, disrupt global supply chains, and trigger retaliatory measures against American exporters. Indian officials have already expressed “deep concern” and warned that such a tariff would hurt Indian consumers and businesses, while urging Washington to pursue “multilateral diplomatic solutions” instead of unilateral punitive actions.

The bill now heads to the full House for a final vote before the November midterm elections, a timing that has heightened partisan tensions. Democrats contend that the tariff provision is an overreach that could politicize foreign policy and jeopardize strategic partnerships in the Indo‑Pacific, whereas many Republicans view it as a decisive lever to accelerate the end of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Senate is expected to receive a companion version of the legislation, and the White House has yet to publicly endorse or reject the specific 100 % tariff amendment, leaving the ultimate fate of the proposal uncertain as both chambers grapple with the complex interplay of sanctions, energy security, and international diplomacy.