Senate Sanctions Bill Stalls as Trump Threatens Tariffs on Russia Trade Partners

In a move that has stalled progress on a highly anticipated sanctions package targeting Russia’s trade partners, Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced on Monday that he would delay advancing the legislation. 

The Gaze reports this, referring to Politico.

This decision follows President Donald Trump’s indication that he may take matters into his own hands, potentially bypassing Congressional action.

During a press briefing, Thune explained that Trump’s stance on the issue could render the proposed Senate bill unnecessary. “It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own,” Thune said. “If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then we’ll do it. We’ll be ready to go.”

Trump's warning comes in the form of a potential imposition of "secondary tariffs" on nations continuing to engage in trade with Russia, including heavyweights like China, Brazil, and India. 

The tariffs could soar up to 100 percent, a threat that Trump made during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, stating that such measures would be implemented if a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is not reached within 50 days.

Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal co-authored the legislation, which includes provisions for tariffs up to 500 percent on goods from Russia’s trading partners. 

This bill, with the backing of 85 Senate co-sponsors, also seeks to impose higher duties on imports from Russia, although the effectiveness of such measures is unclear given the existing sanctions.

Thune’s remarks suggested that the Senate’s role may become secondary if Trump moves forward with his own tariffs. 

While the Senate has expressed support for the tariff measures, with Graham and Blumenthal underscoring the need to push Russia toward peace, Trump has raised questions about the necessity of extreme tariffs, suggesting that a 100 percent tariff would likely suffice. 

The growing trade rift between the U.S. and Russia, already deeply impacted by Biden administration sanctions, has seen a sharp drop in bilateral trade. 

U.S. imports from Russia plummeted from $53 billion in 2021 to just $5.5 billion in 2024, as sanctions severely curtailed trade in Russian oil, which once dominated imports.

The continuing sanctions and tariffs are seen as critical tools for maintaining pressure on Moscow, although questions remain over their future effectiveness as the global trade dynamics shift.

Read more on The Gaze: New Sanctions against Russia – How they Reduce its Ability to Wage War