The United States Senate approved this Friday (7), by a large majority, a project that could open a new front of commercial tariffs for Brazil. The proposal toughens sanctions against Russia and authorizes President Donald Trump to tax countries that continue to buy Russian oil and oil products. ? The text authorizes tariffs of up to 500% on imports from Russia, including oil and gas, and also allows the application of tariffs of up to 100% on products from countries considered major buyers of Russian fuels. Although Brazil is not mentioned by name in the proposal, the project puts the country on alert as it is one of the main buyers of Russian diesel since the start of the war in Ukraine. Today, Russia accounts for around 60% of Brazilian diesel imports. The project now goes to the Chamber of Representatives. As the US Congress is on summer recess, the analysis is expected to only take place from September onwards. What the project foresees In addition to tariffs, the text expands sanctions against Russian authorities, oligarchs, financial institutions and the so-called "ghost fleet", used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports. If the proposal is turned into law, Russian President Vladimir Putin himself could be the target of sanctions, alongside other Russian government officials. Supporters of the measure say that reducing Russia's oil and gas revenues is a way of weakening Moscow's ability to finance the war in Ukraine. "This bill brings us closer to the end of the conflict," said Republican Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the project "hits Russia's energy and financial sectors very hard." The text was named after Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11 after dedicating more than a year to articulating the proposal. Shortly before he died, he announced that he had reached an agreement with the White House on a revised version of the bill. The Russian Embassy in the US criticized the initiative and stated that it "harms the current American administration". The vote comes amid increasing international pressure on Moscow. Last month, the European Union approved a new round of sanctions against Russia, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, celebrated the approval of the project by the American Senate. "Together, we will eliminate Russia's sources of financing so that it cannot continue a war it cannot win", wrote the European leader in X. *With information from Agence France-Presse In the White House, Lula and Donald Trump discuss rare earths, organized crime and trade Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction