U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign a bipartisan bill that would impose 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas, as Canada and the EU strengthen ties despite Trump's threats. The bill, backed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, targets five major buyers of Russian energy and includes sanctions on Russian officials and financial institutions.
The House of Representatives approved the bill on Sept. 16 by a vote of 262-159, with the Senate having already cleared it in early August. The legislation allows for 100% tariffs on countries importing Russian energy, including the European Union, China, and Turkey, while exempting those reducing imports.
The bill would also impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior officials, as well as major Russian financial institutions. It aims to cripple Russia's war machine and pressure Moscow to negotiate, though some Democrats expressed concerns about its potential use beyond the intended scope.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the new sanctions 'unfriendly actions' that could hinder peace talks in Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged U.S. lawmakers to pass the legislation and push for strong actions from Trump.