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WASHINGTON: The US Senate has passed a bill that would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase oil and other energy products from Russia.
The bill, approved by the Senate in a final vote on Friday by 86 votes to 11, will now go to the House of Representatives. If approved by the House, it will require only President Trump’s signature to become law.
Under the proposed legislation, countries that continue buying Russian oil and other energy products could face tariffs of up to 100% on their goods entering the United States. Washington argues that revenues from Russia’s energy exports help finance President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.
The bill has raised concerns in countries that remain major buyers of Russian energy, particularly China and India. Other countries that purchase Russian oil include Japan, Hungary, Slovakia and Azerbaijan.
The legislation has been under discussion in the Senate for several weeks. Republican senators earlier overcame key procedural hurdles, with an 86-12 vote paving the way for the final vote.
Supporters of the bill say the measure is intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow and curb the revenues Russia uses to finance its war in Ukraine.
Following the Senate vote, supporters reiterated Washington’s commitment to Ukraine.
“We want to tell the people of Ukraine that you are not alone. We want to tell Putin that you will never be able to take Ukraine,” one senator said.
China is currently the largest buyer of Russian oil, followed by India. If the bill becomes law and countries continue purchasing Russian energy, the US president would have broad authority to impose punitive tariffs on them.
The bill must now clear the House before it can reach Trump’s desk. Its fate in the lower chamber is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks.