Washington, DC [US], July 15 (ANI): As US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100 percent “secondary tariffs” on Moscow if Russian President Vladimir Putin fails to end the Ukraine conflict within 50 days, Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal have called for even harsher economic penalties on countries, including India, that continue doing business with Russia.
South Carolina Republican Graham and Connecticut Democrat Blumenthal, who introduced a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill earlier this year with 85 cosponsors, said their measure could serve as the “sledgehammer” Trump needs to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
“We’ll continue to push for Senator Graham & my Russia Sanctions bill with even tougher penalties to deter India, China, Brazil & others from fueling Putin’s war machine,” Blumenthal posted on X, adding that congressional action sends a “powerful message of support.”
A joint statement by Graham and Blumenthal singled out India, China, Brazil, and others for “propping up Putin’s war machine” by purchasing discounted Russian oil and gas, which they argue funds Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The senators are advocating tariffs as high as 500 percent on countries that continue such trade.
Trump announced his plan for 100 percent secondary tariffs on Russia during his meeting Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, saying he was “very unhappy” with Moscow and warning of “very severe tariffs” if no peace deal is reached in 50 days.
Blumenthal praised Trump’s move as a “breakthrough step,” calling Putin a “thug” and noting that strength is needed to compel Russia to the table.
The Graham–Blumenthal “Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025,” introduced on April 1, proposes imposing stiff penalties on countries that help Russia evade sanctions or continue to fund its economy through energy purchases. Their statement said:
“The ultimate hammer to bring about the end of this war will be tariffs against countries, like China, India and Brazil, that prop up Putin’s war machine by purchasing cheap Russian oil and gas. President Trump’s decision to announce the implementation of 100 percent secondary tariffs… is a real executive hammer to drive the parties to the negotiating table. The goal is not more tariffs and sanctions—the goal is to entice Putin to come to the peace table.”
The senators further said they would continue working with the White House to advance their bipartisan legislation, which allows for tariffs of up to 500 percent on non-cooperative countries.
Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed concerns over the US Congress bill. At a press conference, he said the Indian embassy and ambassador have been in contact with Graham to convey India’s energy and security concerns and would “cross that bridge if we come to it.”
Jaishankar underscored that developments in the US Congress are being closely followed, given their potential impact on Indian interests.
(ANI)
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