US Senator warns India, China and Brazil of economic consequences over Russian oil imports

US Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a stern warning to India, China, and Brazil, stating that they risk economic harm if they continue purchasing discounted Russian oil.

In an interview on Fox News, Graham emphasized that President Donald Trump would impose 100% tariffs on countries that persist in these oil trade dealings, targeting the nations that reportedly import around 80% of Russia’s cheaper crude.

Graham described such purchases as “blood money,” warning that they fuel Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, and threatened, “we’re going to crush your economy” with steep tariffs.

His statements follow the introduction of the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, backed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, which proposes 500% tariffs on US imports from countries continuing Russian energy trade.

In the same Fox News conversation, Graham framed the move as a decisive tactic. He noted that former President Trump has reportedly given Russia 50 days to make peace or face sweeping secondary tariffs, a shift aimed at severing key funding streams to Putin’s military.

Graham also drew attention to Trump’s plan to increase arms supplies to Ukraine, such as Patriot missile systems, funded by European allies. He said Ukraine would gain weapons to defend itself if Russia continued its aggressive campaign.

This development follows NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s similar warning that India, China, and Brazil could suffer “massive” secondary sanctions if they maintain economic ties with Russia.

India responded through its foreign ministry, asserting that securing its energy requirements remains essential and cautioning against “double standards” in Western rhetoric.