Maximum Pressure: Trump Greenlights 500% Tariffs on Russian Oil Buyers
In a massive escalation of his "peace through strength" strategy, President Trump has officially endorsed the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025.
This bipartisan bill is designed to choke off the funding for Russia’s military by targeting its biggest global customers with unprecedented trade penalties.
The "500% Rule" Explained
The legislation moves beyond direct sanctions on Russia, introducing "Secondary Tariffs" that hit third-party nations. If a country "knowingly" purchases Russian oil, gas, or uranium, the U.S. will be mandated to:
Impose a minimum 500% tariff on all goods and services imported from that nation.
The President holds sole discretion to set the final rate, with Senator Lindsey Graham noting the power ranges "from zero to 500%—he picks the number."
Who is in the Crosshairs?
While the bill applies globally, the administration has explicitly signaled that three major economies are the primary targets:
India: Already facing 50% duties (up from 25% in mid-2025), India is under immense pressure to stop being one of the top buyers of discounted Russian crude.
China: As the world’s largest importer of Russian energy, China faces a potential total trade freeze if the 500% levy is triggered.
Brazil: Noted for its expanding energy trade with Moscow, Brazil has been warned that its access to U.S. markets is now at risk.
The Ultimate Goal
The White House views these tariffs as "tremendous leverage" to force a conclusion to the Ukraine conflict. By making Russian oil "too expensive to buy," the U.S. aims to bankrupt Moscow’s war effort and force a seat at the negotiating table.
"This bill will allow President Trump to punish those countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin’s war machine." — Senator Lindsey Graham
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