US Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a stark warning that the US Donald Trump’s administration will impose punitive tariffs on BRICS nations continuing to import oil from Russia, i.e., India, China and Brazil. The warning, made during a Fox News interview, signals a dramatic shift in US economic and foreign policy should Trump win re-election in 2024.
“Trump is going to impose tariffs on people that buy Russian oil—China, India, and Brazil,” Graham said, accusing these countries of indirectly fuelling the war in Ukraine by continuing trade with Moscow. Together, the three nations account for nearly 80 per cent of Russia’s crude oil exports.
100% tariff on oil imports from India, China, Brazil
According to Graham, Trump plans to slap a 100 per cent tariff on all oil-related imports from these countries in an effort to cut off financial support to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“President Trump’s going to put a 100 per cent tariff on all those countries, punishing them for helping Putin,” Graham stated. He described the move as both a punishment and a deterrent aimed at countries enabling Russia’s war machine by purchasing discounted crude.
Graham warns Putin
Graham, a vocal Trump ally, directed harsh words at 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,” he warned.
Emphasising continued US support for Ukraine, Graham declared, “We’re flowing weapons to Ukraine, so Ukraine will have the weapons to fight Putin back.” He accused Putin of attempting to resurrect the Soviet Union by invading sovereign nations, referencing Ukraine’s denuclearisation in the 1990s in exchange for security assurances, which Russia later violated.
‘This is blood money,’ Graham warns global buyers
Graham’s most scathing criticism was reserved for India, China, and Brazil, which he said were profiting from “blood money” by purchasing Russian oil at discounted prices. “You’re buying cheap Russian oil at the expense of the world, and President Trump is tired of this game,” he said.
He added, “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.”
“You’re buying cheap Russian oil at the expense of the world, and President Trump is tired of this game,” Graham said. He added that while Putin may be able to withstand sanctions and show disregard for Russian soldiers, other countries dependent on trade with the United States will feel the cost.
In an unusual comparison, Graham likened Trump’s leadership style to that of world No. 1 golfer Scotty Scheffler. “Donald Trump is the Scotty Scheffler of American politics and foreign diplomacy, and he’s about to put a whooping on your ass,” he quipped.
Concluding his remarks, Graham said countries like China, India, and Brazil would soon face a clear choice, which is they can continue aligning with Russia or preserve their economic ties with the United States. “I think they’re going to come pick the American economy,” he added.