Trump gains a tariff weapon against China and India. Will he use it?

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation that allows the President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil. This move is seen as a way to pressure countries such as India and China into reducing their purchases of Russian crude. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative, Washington could use the threat of tariffs to make concessions in a bilateral trade agreement with India.

The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was passed by the US House of Representatives by 262-159 and had previously been approved by the Senate 86-11. The bill now awaits the President's signature. The Global Trade Research Initiative has warned that the US could use the threat of tariffs to pressure India into cutting Russian oil purchases and making concessions in a bilateral trade deal.

The new tariff powers are seen as a potential trade weapon against countries that continue to buy Russian oil. According to CNBC World, the US has paved the way for legislation that will allow the President to impose up to 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, giving him leverage against India and China.

Brief written by urgent.news from CNBC World, The Economic Times - Economy, Business Recorder — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.