US Senator Richard Blumenthal defended proposed legislation that would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, saying the measure is designed to target countries such as India and China rather than US allies.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
Speaking after the Senate advanced the bipartisan bill, Blumenthal accused India and China of helping finance Russia's war in Ukraine through their energy purchases.
He also claimed that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration had already led India to significantly reduce its imports of Russian crude.
'Let's be blunt': India, China are 'main culprits'
Blumenthal said the legislation does not mandate tariffs but authorises the president to impose duties of up to 100 per cent on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas.
"The bill doesn't require tariffs. It authorizes tariffs up to 100 per cent to the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. It's carefully crafted to make sure we are not hitting our allies and that we are hitting China and India."
