Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Sep 15: US lawmakers have proposed an amendment to include countries importing oil from Russia, including India, under a law imposing sanctions on Russia. Some lawmakers have also introduced an amendment seeking the complete removal of the proposal to impose tariffs.
Lawmakers have demanded a 100% tariff on countries brought under the purview of the legislation.
Last month, the US Congress approved the bill to impose sanctions on Russia and Iran, known as the Lindsay O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, by a vote of 89–11.
The bill seeks to impose sanctions on Russia's leadership and energy sector, as well as on shadow fleets of vessels allegedly assisting in the transportation of Russian oil.
The United States argues that Russia's crude oil trade is financing its war against Ukraine. Therefore, the bill also includes a proposal to grant President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil, including China and India, as well as other countries.
The bill passed by the Senate on August 7 did not directly name Russia's trading partner countries.
For the bill to become law, it must first be approved by the House of Representatives before being sent to the President for his signature. With the midterm elections scheduled for November 3, the House of Representatives is expected to go into recess soon, leaving only four days before the recess.
Meanwhile, an amendment introduced by Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer has specifically named the countries that could face a 100% tariff. The list includes China, India, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.
However, Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, who strongly opposes granting Trump the authority to impose additional tariffs, has introduced an amendment seeking to completely repeal Section 113 of the bill. The section grants the President the authority to impose secondary tariffs on Russia's trading partner countries. Three lawmakers have supported Meeks' amendment.
The proposed amendments to the Russia sanctions bill were made public by the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives on Monday.