New Delhi: America is not bothered by those countries, including India, that are friends with Russia. Indian Embassy Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican) and Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) have introduced a bill. Its name is the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. This bill will increase pressure on countries buying oil and energy products from Russia. Especially in India and China. This bill is very big and full of controversies. There
is a special thing in this bill. If any country buys oil, gas, or uranium from Russia, then a tax of 500% will be imposed on the goods coming to America from that country. This will make those goods very expensive. This bill has been brought so that the world does not depend on Russia for energy and Russia can be punished for the war in Ukraine. This bill has created a stir all over the world.
What will be the impact on India?
This bill will have a very bad effect on India. Because since the Russia-Ukraine war, India has been benefiting a lot from cheap Russian oil. In the year 2024, the share of Russian oil in India's total crude oil imports was about 35%.
What is Trump's role?
The future of this bill also depends on US President Donald Trump. He does not like this bill as it is now. This bill is different from normal economic sanctions. This bill does not directly target Russian companies or banks, but it forces countries that buy energy from Russia. If they do so, they will be fined on their exports to America.
The bill also states that a 500% tax will be imposed on goods coming to America. The president will have the right to stop this tax for 180 days. The tax can be stopped for the second time as well, but for this, Congress' approval will be necessary. According to reports, Trump will sign this bill only when he gets full authority to implement it.
The President's wings will be clipped!
Right now it is written in the bill that Congress's approval will also be necessary. For example, if the president wants to stop the tax, then Congress can stop it. The White House does not like this. They say that this will reduce the president's power to run foreign policy.
Trump Seeks Full Control Over Sanctions
'The Wall Street Journal' wrote last month that Trump's team wants 'may' to be written in place of 'shall' in the bill. This will give the president the right to impose or not impose tax. They also want that the President should have the right to give exemption to allies, essential goods, and matters of national security, and Congress should not have the right to veto. That is, Trump wants tohave the full right to impose sanctions.
Massive Tax May Hurt Global Trade
If this bill is passed as it is now, it will have a very bad effect on trade and diplomacy. The 500% tax is so high that goods from countries like India, China, Turkey, and Africa will stop coming to America. This will cause a lot of problems in trade. Things will become expensive for American companies and customers.
Risk to US Ties and Rising Inflation
This can also harm America's relations with its friends. Many countries, especially poor countries, consider sanctions as bullying by Western countries. If America forces them to choose between buying energy from Russia or doing business with America, it can cause harm. Some countries can deepen their relations with China or Russia. Changes in trade and retaliatory taxes can increase inflation in America. Especially in the fields of electronics, textiles, and medicines.
