“We’ll crush your economy,” US Senator warns India, China, Brazil

WASHINGTON DC

US Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a stark warning to India, China, and Brazil over their continued import of Russian oil, claiming that the U.S. President Donald Trump administration would impose harsh economic penalties. In a Fox News interview, Graham said Trump intends to levy 100% tariffs on oil-related imports from nations that provide financial support to Russia.

“Trump is going to impose tariffs on people that buy Russian oil – China, India, and Brazil,” Graham declared, noting that these countries account for roughly 80% of Russia’s crude exports. He said the move is meant to choke off financial support to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Graham directly addressed Putin, saying, “Your economy is going to continue to be crushed,” adding that the US will keep supplying weapons to Ukraine to counter Russian aggression.

He accused Putin of attempting to rebuild the Soviet Union by invading neighboring countries. Graham pointed out that Ukraine had surrendered 1,700 nuclear weapons in the 1990s under a promise of sovereignty from Russia, a promise he said Putin has broken. Turning back to Trump's proposed strategy, Graham said, “If you keep buying cheap Russian oil, we’re going to tear the hell out of you and crush your economy. This is blood money.” He emphasized that while Russia may endure the sanctions, nations reliant on trade with the US would not. He said, “China, India, and Brazil they’re about to face a choice between the American economy or helping Putin. And I think they’re going to come pick the American economy,”