The United States Plans To Impose 100% Tariffs On The Top 5 Buyers Of Russian Oil And Gas

According to Reuters on July 14, 2026, US senators released an updated version of the Sanctioning Russia Act on July 14, which was led by Senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly last weekend, and supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

The revised bill sets the upper limit of potential 'secondary tariffs' at 100% and only applies to the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas.

This bill, negotiated by senators from both parties, will empower Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas.

The newly added provisions of the bill will allow Trump to waive sanctions if he deems it to be in the national interest of the United States.
Senate aides stated that the top five buyers of Russian crude oil are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. The main importers of natural gas from Russia are China, France, Japan, Hungary, and Belgium.

The initiator of the bill, Graham, passed away suddenly last Saturday. Just the day before, during his visit to Ukraine, he announced that he had reached an agreement with President Trump to advance the bill. The bill has been delayed for over a year since its introduction in April 2025.

Previously, in August 2025, Trump imposed an additional 25% "secondary tariff" on India due to the purchase of Russian oil. On February 6, 2026, Trump signed an executive order announcing that India had pledged to cease direct or indirect imports of Russian oil and agreed to purchase American energy products and expand defense cooperation. In exchange, the US has lifted the 25% punitive tariff.

So far, the United States has only imposed such 'secondary tariffs' on India.

Senate aides said that the bill currently has 26 co sponsors and expect more to be added in the coming hours, expressing optimism about the prospects of passage.

Trump is optimistic about the bill passing and becoming law.

This is to commemorate Graham. This is his thing. What he wants most is this. You know how he feels, and there's a great chance he can accomplish it, "Trump said.

This bill will provide Trump with new leverage tools to help end the five-year war between Russia and Ukraine.

The bill needs to pass through the House of Representatives and be signed by the President in order to become law.