India, Sept. 11 -- Nearly two dozen influential American business associations have written a letter to 100 Senators expressing concern about the Russia sanctions bill, which threatens up to a 100% tariff on India and four other major purchasers of Russian energy. They asked the lawmakers to consider removing the bill's tariff provisions, citing their potential impact on costs for consumers and businesses.

The associations recommended narrowly tailored tariffs and legislative monitoring and approval mechanisms which could moderate President Donald Trump's authority to target countries like India. The National Retail Federation, the US Council for International Business, the US Chamber of Commerce and 20 other industry groups wrote the le...