Washington D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated his support for a proposed Senate bill that would impose sanctions on countries conducting business with Russia. Speaking to reporters before departing Florida on Sunday, Trump stated that the legislation, aimed at penalizing nations engaging in trade with Russia, would be “acceptable to me.”
“Republicans are putting forward legislation, very tough legislation, having to do with sanctions on anybody that does business with Russia,” Trump said.
The bill, championed by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, has been a long-standing legislative priority. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated last October that he was prepared to bring the legislation to a vote but did not want to commit to a strict deadline.
The proposed law would grant President Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that purchase Russian energy products and fail to actively support Ukraine. This measure specifically targets major consumers of Russian energy, such as China and India.
“We may add Iran to that,” Trump added, without providing further details. The potential inclusion of Iran broadens the scope of the bill and signals a more aggressive stance towards nations perceived as undermining U.S. foreign policy objectives.
This development underscores the Trump administration’s continued focus on countering Russian influence and maintaining pressure on nations perceived as enabling Moscow’s economic activities. The bill’s passage could significantly impact global trade dynamics and further strain relations between the U.S. and countries reliant on Russian energy resources.
