US Senator Lindsey Graham has sounded a stern warning that Trump, now back in power, will impose substantial tariffs on countries that continue to import oil from Russia—naming India, China, and Brazil in particular—during Moscow's current war against Ukraine.
The Trump administration is poised to impose a 100 percent tariff on oil-related imports to cut off the money supply behind Russian President Vladimir Putin's war effort in Ukraine, the Republican senator said.
Earlier, Graham had introduced a bill suggesting even more severe punishments—tariffs of as much as 500 percent—on imports from nations still having trade relations with Russia, including large economies such as China and India.
On Fox News, Graham stated, "Trump is going to put tariffs on individuals who purchase Russian oil - China, India, and Brazil. Here is what I would say to China, India and Brazil: If you continue to purchase cheap Russian oil to keep this war going on, we're going to rip up the hell out of you, and we're going to destroy your economy."
Graham was stressing that these three countries are on the hook to buy approximately 80 percent of Russia's crude oil exports, which, he said, is sustaining the Kremlin's war machine. "What you (India, China and Brazil) are doing is blood money.He's (Putin) not going to stop until somebody makes him stop."
In a stern message to Russia, the senator went on, "The game has changed when it comes to you, President Putin. You have played President Trump at your own peril. You made a major league mistake, and your economy is going to continue to be crushed."
Graham went on to accuse Putin of trying to rebuild the Soviet empire by invading neighboring countries. He referred to the case of Ukraine relinquishing its nuclear weapons in the 1990s in an agreement that promised its territorial integrity—an agreement he alleges Russia has flagrantly broken. "Putin wants to conquer countries that belong to someone else. In the mid-90s, Ukraine relinquished 1,700 nuclear weapons with an assurance that its sovereignty would not be violated by Russia. Putin violated that agreement," he said.
The acerbic language reflects increasing frustration within the Trump administration with Putin's unwillingness to ease tensions—despite Trump's earlier assertion that he would end the war on the first day of his second term. Almost seven months into his presidency, the war rages on, and Russia is launching increased drone and missile attacks throughout Ukrainian regions.
Responding to Moscow's seeming reluctance to pursue peace, Trump last week committed fresh military aid to Ukraine and threatened to impose draconian secondary tariffs—100 percent—on any nation continuing to buy Russian oil unless a peace deal is signed within 50 days.
This stand has been supported by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who has also threatened nations such as India, China, and Brazil with imminent sanctions if they fail to put pressure on Moscow toward peace. "My appeal to these three countries. please call Vladimir Putin and ask him to get serious about peace negotiations, because otherwise this will come back with a massive effect on Brazil, on India and on China," Rutte appealed.
India reacted strongly to the NATO chief's remarks, warning against selective criticism and what it called "double standards." The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement last week reiterating the nation's position on securing its energy requirements.
“We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing the energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us,” the ministry said.
Taking a subtle dig at the Western way, the ministry went on to add further, "In this effort, we are informed by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global conditions. We would specifically advise against any double standards on the issue."
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