'Will Have To Cross That Bridge': Jaishankar On US's 500% Tariff On Russian Oil Imports

EAM S Jaishankar said that India has expressed its concerns to US Senator Lindsey Graham regarding a proposed bill that could impose a 500 per cent tariff.

Image: ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that India has officially expressed its concerns to US Senator Lindsey Graham regarding a proposed bill that could impose a 500 per cent tariff on the import of Russian oil. 

Reacting to US plans to impose 500% Tariffs on the import of Russian Oil, EAM said, "Regarding Senator Lindsey Graham's bill, any development which is happening in the US Congress is of interest to us if it impacts our interest or could impact our interest. So we have been in touch with Senator Lindsey Graham. The embassy, ambassador have been in touch." 

While addressing a press conference, he highligitd that India's concerns and interests on energy, security have been made conversant to Graham.

 "We'll then have to cross that bridge when we come to it, if we come to it," he added.

Graham's sanctions bill on Russia would impose a 500 per cent tariff on imports from any nation that purchases Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products, The Hill reported. The bill has over 80 co-sponsors in the Senate, potentially making it veto-proof.

Trump Backs 500% Tariff

Earlier, US President Donald Trump has approved a Senate bill that could impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries, including China and India, that purchase oil and energy products from Russia. In coversation with ABC news on Sunday, US Senator Lindsey Graham said that Trump had told him that the sanctions bill should be brought forward for a vote. 

“Big breakthrough here. So what does this bill do? If you’re buying products from Russia and you’re not helping Ukraine, then there’s a 500% tariff on your products coming into the United States. India and China buy 70% of Putin’s oil. They keep his war machine going,” Graham said, ABC reported.

However, after the war erupted between Russia and Ukraine, the US and Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow. However, India has continued to purchase oil from Russian.