Why US lawmakers want India on the 100 percent tariff list
US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reuters
Two opposing positions have emerged in the US Congress over a bill imposing sanctions on Russia. One proposed amendment calls for imposing 100 percent tariffs on major trading partners of Russia such as India. Another amendment seeks to remove the entire provision that would give President Donald Trump the authority to impose such tariffs.
The Lindsey and Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act passed the US Senate last month with overwhelming support in an 86 to 11 vote. The bill proposes sanctions not only on Russia’s leadership and energy sector but also on the ‘shadow fleet’ of vessels helping Moscow evade sanctions imposed on oil supplies.
The United States believes Russia’s crude oil trade is financing its war against Ukraine. The bill also proposes giving US President Donald Trump the authority to impose 100 percent tariffs on Russia’s major oil trading partners. China and India are among them.
The bill passed by the US Senate on August 7 did not name Russia’s trading partners. However, it referred to the five largest importers of oil and gas by volume.
The bill must pass the House of Representatives before being sent to the president for signature. House members have only four working days left before they leave for an early recess ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
An amendment introduced by Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer proposes including China, India, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the UAE, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic among the countries subject to 100 percent tariffs.
Another issue is also notable. Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks strongly opposes giving President Trump additional tariff powers. He has introduced an amendment seeking to remove the entire Section 113 of the bill. The section proposes giving the president the authority to impose broad secondary tariffs on Russia’s trading partners.
The House Rules Committee publicly released the amendments to the Russia sanctions bill on Monday.
Another amendment by Meeks proposes giving the president the authority to suspend sanctions applicable to any foreign individual for 90 days. The suspension could be renewed for another 90 days if it is ‘essential to the national security’ of the United States.
Meeks has also introduced another amendment seeking authorization for a direct $15 billion loan to Ukraine to finance the purchase of defense equipment and services.
Source: The Hindu (Adapted)
