US Congress passes bill targeting Russia’s leading energy buyers – China and India

The US Congress on Wednesday passed a bill to strengthen sanctions on Russia by targeting Moscow’s leading energy buyers – China and India – just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to arrive in Washington for a bilateral summit with President Donald Trump.

The US House of Representatives cleared the “Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026” by a 262-159 vote, making its way to the White House for Trump’s signature. The Senate passed the bill last month by an overwhelming 86-11 vote.

The legislation, championed by late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July, authorises Trump to impose up to 100 per cent tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil and natural gas, expanding his favourite leverage tool of slapping tariffs to maximise leverage and retribution.

While purchasers of Russian energy are not explicitly named in the bill, it is set to target major buyers such as China and India, while potentially exempting countries including Japan, France, Hungary and Belgium, which source smaller shares from Russia and are taking steps to reduce their reliance.