500% tariffs may hit buyers of Russian oil amid war in Ukraine — US senator
US Senator Richard Blumenthal (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The United States may impose 500% tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil, gasoline, or petrochemicals — including India and China. This was announced by US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.
"The US Senate's response will be clear and unequivocal — 500% tariffs for anyone buying Russian oil, gasoline, or petrochemicals. That means 500% tariffs on India, on China — which buys 70% of these goods — and on anyone else who continues these purchases," Blumenthal said.
The senator added that he was "deeply inspired by the support we've received from our European allies."
"They are heroes because they said: 'Go ahead, pass the sanctions law,' even though they still import a portion — maybe 10–14% — of the total volume," Blumenthal said. As Senator Graham mentioned, we will be engaging with those allies. From here, we head to Paris to speak with the top leadership there. But there must be a unified approach," he added.
US sanctions against Russia
In April, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced a bill proposing tough new sanctions on Russia.
These sanctions would be triggered if Russia refuses to engage in good-faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or takes further actions — such as military aggression — that would undermine Ukraine's sovereignty after any peace agreement. The bill also includes a 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other commodities.
According to Graham, the US Senate could begin considering the sanctions bill as early as next week.
