-1789726847929.webp)
The US Congress has approved legislation giving President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas, putting major importers like India and China under new strain. The new policy intends to lower Russian energy revenues amid the ongoing Ukraine war, but it has also sparked concerns about global oil supplies and ties between the US and its trading countries. Also, the legislation allows tariffs of up to 100%; it does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on all Russian oil buyers.
Why has China rejected the US tariffs?
China has clearly rejected the US’ overtures to pressurise countries over their purchases of Russian oil. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing slams what it regarded as “long-arm jurisdiction” without a basis in international law or United Nations Security Council approval.
China added that its trade with other countries depends on equality and mutual benefit and should not cause interference or coercion by a third country. China is also one of Russia’s biggest energy buyers, comprising half of Russia’s crude exports in the latest data.
For them, Russian oil remains strategically vital because of its scale and also because some supplies reach China through pipelines rather than completely by sea. This gives China an extra supply route compared with countries relying on maritime shipments.
India issues warning
India has taken a varied but also cautious stance. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India was monitoring the US legislation and had earlier discussed its potential consequences with American officials.
India stressed that its priority is energy security for its people and that it will continue diversifying its sources according to market conditions. It also warned that the proposed US measures could have implications for India-US bilateral ties and the global energy market.
Russia accounts for about 30.3% of India's crude imports in FY2026, making any sudden reduction in Russian supplies critical for Indian refiners and consumers.
Other countries response
Russia has regarded the proposed sanctions as unfriendly actions and said additional US sanctions could make efforts to reach a Ukraine peace settlement more complex.
European Union has continued tightening restrictions on Russian energy while sustaining measures like the crude-oil price-cap framework. Numerous European countries and its partner states have followed the EU's latest Russia-related restrictions.
Turkey continues to stay a Russian crude buyer. S&P Global data showed Turkish imports at about 191,000 barrels per day in August 2026.
South Korea has improved energy-security concerns over restrictions affecting Russian LNG and sought exemptions from Britain for certain imports. The EU has already agreed to exemptions for some Russian LNG shipments to South Korea and Japan.
Japan is still participating in the G7-linked Russian oil price-cap framework, rather than following a similar policy as India or China.