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Peek TV | September 18, 2026

Crude Awakening: Trump Gets New Tariff Powers

The Fact: The US House has passed a bill giving President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries, including India, that continue buying Russian oil and gas. India has responded by saying it will protect its trade and economic interests while remaining committed to energy security for its 1.4 billion people.

The Context: The bill comes after months of US pressure on India to reduce its Russian energy purchases. The legislation does not itself impose a 100% tariff on India. It gives Trump the authority to impose them if the ‘relevant’ conditions are triggered. India remains one of the biggest buyers of Russian crude, which became an important source of cheaper energy for New Delhi after Western sanctions reshaped global oil trade following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The US argues that buying Russian energy helps sustain Moscow’s economy. India has consistently argued that its purchases are driven by national energy needs and market conditions. The bill has now cleared both chambers of Congress and goes to Trump for his signature.

The Peek Insight: This is no longer simply a tariff dispute. It puts two Indian priorities against each other: maintaining affordable and reliable energy while protecting access to its biggest export market, the US. India’s response is significant because New Delhi has not indicated that it will immediately stop buying Russian oil. Instead, the government says India will diversify its energy sources and take necessary steps to protect its economic interests. The bigger question is what happens if Washington actually activates the tariff. A duty of up to 100% would make Indian goods much more expensive in the American market and could complicate the already difficult India-US trade negotiations. For now, the tariff is a threat and a diplomatic leverage, with presidential authority behind it.