Lindsey Graham Signals Trump’s Plan for 100% Tariffs on Nations Importing Russian Oil: China, India, and Brazil in the Crosshairs
In a bold and uncompromising message directed at key global economies, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham declared that former President Donald Trump, upon returning to office, will impose 100% tariffs on countries that continue to import crude oil from Russia, specifically naming China, India, and Brazil.
The comments, made during a Fox News interview, mark a stark warning to nations perceived to be indirectly fueling President Vladimir Putin’s war effort in Ukraine by buying heavily discounted Russian oil.
“These countries—China, India, and Brazil—are keeping Putin’s war machine alive,” Graham said. “They buy about 80% of Russia’s discounted oil, and that money is what fuels the invasion of Ukraine. President Trump is going to stop that with 100% tariffs. We are done playing nice.”
The remarks signal a dramatic escalation in Trump’s prospective second-term foreign policy agenda, centered around aggressive economic penalties for nations not aligning with U.S. positions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Graham warned that the new Trump administration would leave no room for ambiguity in its dealings with global trade partners, particularly those who “fund bloodshed” through energy purchases.
“To President Putin: you’ve made a grave mistake,” Graham declared. “You’ve played President Trump at your peril. The crushing of your economy is only going to accelerate.”
Turning to other nations, Graham added a stern message:
“To China, India, and Brazil: If you continue to buy cheap Russian oil and allow this war to persist, we will tear up your economies. This is blood money, and America will not sit quietly while you enable mass violence and instability.”
Though no official White House statement has been released, Graham’s rhetoric is widely seen as a policy preview of what a second Trump term might look like, particularly in matters of global trade and geopolitical alliances. The senator emphasized that the choice for these countries is clear:
“You can continue doing business with Putin—or you can access the American economy. I believe they’ll choose us.”
Graham further lambasted Vladimir Putin, accusing him of attempting to recreate the Soviet Union by violating international borders and annexing sovereign nations. “In the 1990s, Ukraine gave up 1,700 nuclear weapons in exchange for a security guarantee from Russia,” Graham reminded viewers. “Putin broke that promise. He’s no partner in peace—he’s a 21st-century tyrant.”
Beyond oil and trade, Graham also touched on Trump’s wider foreign policy stance, confirming that the U.S. will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine to bolster its defenses against Russia’s ongoing aggression.
He also highlighted Trump’s prior military support for Israel’s strikes on Iran, noting that it had severely damaged Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Graham didn’t mince words, calling him a “religious Nazi.”
In a moment of colorful comparison, Graham even likened Trump to golf champion Scottie Scheffler, suggesting the former president’s return to global diplomacy would be decisive and dominant.
“Trump is the Scottie Scheffler of American politics—he’s about to put a whooping on your ass,” Graham quipped.
