Trump Does Not Need Senate Nod For 500% Tariffs On Russian Oil Buyers: US Treasury Secretary

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 22:27 IST

Scott Bessent criticised China, one of the largest buyers of Russian oil, and said Washington has long been considering imposing steep tariffs on Beijing.

US President Donald Trump

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Donald Trump does not require fresh authorisation from the US Senate to impose tariffs as high as 500 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil. Scott Bessent said the proposed Russia Sanctions Bill- which would allow the US to levy at least 500 per cent tariffs on buyers of Russian oil- was currently before the Senate, but argued that Donald Trump already has the authority to act under existing law.

“On the 500% tariff on the buyers of Russian oil, that is a proposal that Senator Graham has in front of the Senate and we will see whether that passes. We don’t believe that President Trump needs that authority, that he can do it under IEPA, but that the Senate wants to give him that authority," Scott Bessent said.

Referring to India, the US Treasury Secretary claimed New Delhi has stopped buying Russian oil following the Donald Trump administration’s decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs. He contrasted India’s position with that of Europe, which he accused of continuing to finance the war by purchasing Russian energy.

“We have Europe buying Russian oil, still, four years later, they are financing the war against themselves," Scott Bessent said, adding, “India started buying Russian oil after the conflict began, but President Trump put a 25% tariff on them, and India has geared down and has stopped buying Russian oil."

Scott Bessent also criticised China, one of the largest buyers of Russian oil, and said Washington has long been considering imposing steep tariffs on Beijing over its continued purchases.

The Russia Sanctions Bill has been backed by Lindsey Graham, who said earlier this month that the legislation would give Donald Trump “tremendous leverage" over countries such as China, India and Brazil to pressure them into halting purchases of Russian oil, which he said helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

In October last year, Scott Bessent said that a large majority of US senators were willing to grant Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on China for buying Russian oil.

The Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi is aware of the bipartisan bill and is closely tracking developments, adding, “We are fully aware of the proposed bill being discussed, and we are carefully monitoring all related issues and developments connected with it."

News world Trump Does Not Need Senate Nod For 500% Tariffs On Russian Oil Buyers: US Treasury Secretary

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