U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a stark warning to key global powers—India, China, and Brazil—regarding their continued purchase of Russian oil. In a recent interview on Fox News, the Republican Senator from South Carolina revealed that President Donald Trump, if re-elected, is planning to impose 100% tariffs on oil-related imports from these nations to cut off financial support to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Trump is going to impose tariffs on people that buy Russian oil—China, India, and Brazil,” Graham said, accusing the three nations of funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Together, these countries reportedly account for about 80% of Russia’s crude oil exports, a significant revenue stream that helps Moscow sustain its military operations in Ukraine. Graham argued that such purchases are effectively “blood money” and warned that a Trump-led administration would no longer tolerate it.
A Strategic Economic Blow
According to Graham, the 100% tariffs are intended to deal a powerful economic blow—not just to Russia, but also to countries enabling Putin’s aggression by continuing trade.
“President Trump’s going to put a 100 per cent tariff on all those countries, punishing them for helping Putin,” he said.
The move, if implemented, would signal a dramatic shift in U.S. trade policy and global diplomacy, challenging the energy and economic strategies of three of the world’s largest economies.
Direct Message to Putin
In a forceful statement aimed directly at the Russian president, Graham declared:
“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.”
He reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine and emphasized that under Trump, weapons will continue to flow to the embattled nation to help resist Russian aggression.
“We’re flowing weapons to Ukraine, so Ukraine will have the weapons to fight Putin back.”
Historical Context and Geopolitical Stakes
Graham invoked the Budapest Memorandum, referencing Ukraine’s decision in the 1990s to surrender its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from major powers, including Russia. Putin, he said, has violated that agreement and is now attempting to recreate the Soviet Union through military conquest.
“Putin wants to take countries that are not his… Ukraine gave up 1,700 nuclear weapons with a promise that its sovereignty would be respected by Russia. Putin broke that promise.”
Pressure on Global Economies
Graham emphasized that the proposed tariffs are not just a geopolitical tool, but an economic ultimatum to China, India, and Brazil:
“You’re buying cheap Russian oil at the expense of the world, and President Trump is tired of this game.”
He said nations benefiting from discounted Russian oil would be forced to choose between their economic relationship with the U.S. and their continued support of Putin’s war machine.
“Here’s what I would tell China, India, and Brazil: If you keep buying cheap Russian oil to allow this war to continue, we’re going to tear the hell out of you and we’re going to crush your economy.”
Trump as a Foreign Policy Enforcer
In an unusual comparison, Graham likened Trump to top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler, calling him the “Scotty Scheffler of American politics and foreign diplomacy,” adding:
“He’s about to put a whooping on your ass.”
The senator concluded by framing the issue as a pivotal global decision point:
“China, India, and Brazil—they’re about to face a choice between the American economy and helping Putin. And I think they’re going to come pick the American economy.”
What Comes Next?
While Trump’s return to power remains uncertain, Graham’s remarks offer a preview of the aggressive trade and foreign policy stance a future Trump administration may adopt. The rhetoric signals a potential rift with key global partners and underscores the high economic stakes in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
As the 2024 U.S. election aftermath continues to reshape international expectations, the world’s attention now turns to how China, India, and Brazil will respond to this escalating pressure.