Washington: US Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a warning that American President Donald Trump is set to impose significant tariffs on Moscow’s trading partners –including India and China– if they fail to cease purchasing Russian oil amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Republican lawmaker indicated that the Trump administration is preparing to enforce a 100 percent tariff on oil-related imports, which would support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts against Kyiv.

Previously, Graham had introduced a bill advocating for 500 percent tariffs on products from nations that continue to engage in trade with Russia, including India and China.

“Trump is going to impose tariffs on those who buy Russian oil – China, India, and Brazil… Here’s my message to China, India, and Brazil: If you persist in purchasing inexpensive Russian oil to sustain this war, we will impose severe tariffs on you, and we will devastate your economy,” Graham stated during an interview with Fox News.

Lindsey Graham: Here’s my message to China, India, and Brazil. If you continue to buy cheap Russian oil… we will impose heavy tariffs on you and we will ruin your economy.

He asserted that these three nations represent approximately 80 percent of Russia’s crude oil exports, which enables “Putin’s war machine to operate.”

“What you (India, China, and Brazil) are doing is funding bloodshed… He (Putin) will not cease until someone compels him to do so.”

In a pointed warning to Russia, Graham remarked, “The situation has changed regarding you, President Putin. You have underestimated President Trump at your own risk. You have made a grave error, and your economy will continue to suffer.”

Graham contended that by “invading nations that do not belong to him,” Putin is attempting to restore the former Soviet Union.

“Putin aims to seize territories that are not his. In the mid-90s, Ukraine relinquished 1,700 nuclear weapons with the assurance that its sovereignty would be honored by Russia. Putin violated that assurance,” the Republican concluded.

Trump and NATO’s Increasing Tensions

The intense comments appear to reflect the Trump administration’s escalating frustration with Putin’s lack of interest in concluding the war, which Trump had previously vowed to resolve on the first day of his second term. Nearly seven months have passed since Trump returned to the White House, and the situation is deteriorating, with Russia ramping up drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Frustrated by Moscow’s unwillingness to negotiate a ceasefire, Trump announced new military aid for Ukraine last week and warned of severe secondary tariffs of 100 percent on purchasers of Russian oil unless a peace agreement is reached within 50 days. In response, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued threats of secondary sanctions against nations like Brazil, China, and India if they continued their trade relations with Russia.

“I urge these three nations… please reach out to Vladimir Putin and inform him that he must take peace negotiations seriously, or else there will be significant repercussions for Brazil, India, and China,” Rutte stated.

India’s Response

India reacted to NATO Secretary General Rutte’s comments regarding potential sanctions on India’s trade with Russia, warning against “double standards.” The Foreign Ministry stated last week, “We have noted the reports on this issue and are monitoring the situation closely. I want to emphasize that meeting the energy requirements of our population is a top priority for us.”

The Ministry cautioned against double standards in this context, asserting, “In this effort, we are guided by market offerings and the current global situation. We particularly advise against any double standards in this regard.”