WSJ: Lindsey Graham's revised Russia sanctions bill is a tariffs bill; some Democrats fear it hands Trump a trade weapon

A revised sanctions bill co-authored by Senator Lindsey Graham, who died several days ago, would authorize the U.S. president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas — with China and India as the primary targets — The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.

The tariffs could be applied to both countries and private individuals who assist in supplying Russian energy. The decision to impose them rests solely with the president.

According to Reuters, the five largest buyers of Russian oil are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan; for natural gas, they are China, France, Japan, Hungary, and Belgium. The updated bill includes an exemption for countries that source less than 15% of their natural gas consumption from Russia and are taking significant steps to reduce those imports — a provision that could shield Japan, France, Hungary, and Belgium from the tariffs.

The bill also calls for sanctions against Russian defense, energy, and financial organizations, as well as Russia's shadow fleet.

If passed, it would mark the first time Congress has authorized tariffs as a geopolitical weapon; previously, tariffs were used to counter unfair trade practices, analysts told The Wall Street Journal.

Reuters describes the new version of the sanctions bill as "watered down." The original version, introduced in April 2025, would have imposed 500% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil and gas.