“Clean Up Your Act”: Team Trump Issues a Warning to China and India About Russian Oil Trade

China and India have received a direct message from the Donald Trump administration: Reduce your dependency on Russian gas and oil, or else the United States may impose previously unheard-of economic sanctions. “To China and India: You better clean up your act. Buy your oil and gas somewhere else. Appeasement is not a strategy,” he said.

Speaking to the media following the US Congress’s approval of the Russia Sanctions Bill, Republican Senator Richard Blumenthal cautioned Beijing and New Delhi to “get their act together” and get their energy from “somewhere else.”India, the third-largest oil importer in the world, is one of the top consumers of Russian oil, which is thought to help Moscow restore its budget when it began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and was subject to extensive Western sanctions.

Blumenthal, who wrote the bill with late Senator Lindsey Graham, said he hopes the sanctions will help force Putin to the negotiating table and end the war. “To Vladimir Putin — we have your number. And to Ukraine — you are not alone,” Blumenthal said.

The goal of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is to impose sanctions on Russian banks, officials, and a covert fleet of tankers that transport Russian energy. Additionally, it directs Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian natural gas or oil, including China and India, with the exception of nations that import less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and have made substantial efforts to cut those imports.

The House voted 262-159 to pass the legislation on Wednesday, and it will now go President Trump to be signed into law.

In response to the US’s latest action to penalize such purchasers, India stated that it is still steadfastly dedicated to providing energy security for its citizens and will keep sourcing supplies from a variety of vendors depending on market conditions. Additionally, additional Delhi stated that it has alerted Washington to the possibility that any such additional actions would affect relations between the two nations.

The foreign ministry stated that it had taken note of the bill’s passing and that New Delhi had brought up the matter with several U.S. interlocutors in recent months, “quite clearly outlined” the possible ramifications for both the bilateral relationship and the global energy market. “The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests,” it said in a statement.

It further stated that the government would collaborate closely with trade and industry associations to address the legislation’s ramifications. New Delhi has consistently attempted to fend off efforts to reduce its oil trade with Russia, claiming that its sizable population and economy require safe, reasonably priced, and dependable energy sources.