A bipartisan US Senate bill aiming to impose steep tariffs on nations that purchase Russian energy is unlikely to be debated this month. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, proposes a 500% tariff on US imports from countries that continue to buy Russian oil and gas unless they actively support Ukraine. Despite the lawmakers’ push for its passage ahead of the G7 summit in Canada, the legislation is now expected to be delayed due to the escalation of violence in the Middle East and congressional focus on other pressing matters.
Senator Lindsey Graham acknowledged the delay, stating that the bill is “going to have to wait a bit.” He cited the recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as a reason for the postponement, emphasizing that this does not mean he has forgotten about Russia or Ukraine. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also suggested that a “July timeframe” for the bill is likely, as the current focus is on addressing the Middle East crisis and reviewing President Trump’s proposals for federal spending and tax cuts.
President Trump has been cautious in his approach to imposing sanctions on Russia, citing the significant economic costs involved. “When I sanction a country, that costs the US a lot of money – a tremendous amount of money,” he said at the G7 summit in Alberta. “It’s not just, let’s sign a document. You’re talking about billions and billions of dollars. Sanctions are not that easy. It’s not just a one-way street.” The Trump administration has reportedly been lobbying senators to revise the bill, aiming to grant the president discretion over sanctions rather than imposing automatic penalties.
The White House is concerned that the legislation could undermine its efforts to improve US-Russia relations. Russian officials have dismissed the threat of additional sanctions, stating that no amount of external pressure or military aid to Kiev will alter Russia’s objectives in the Ukraine conflict. The delay in the bill’s debate comes as Russian exports continue to surge despite Western sanctions, highlighting the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the challenges of imposing effective economic penalties. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US Senate will proceed with the legislation and what impact it may have on the global economy and geopolitical relations.
