NextFin news, On Sunday, September 14, 2025, US Senator Lindsey Graham declared his intention to urge Congress to advance a Russia sanctions bill in both the House and Senate in Washington, D.C. The bill proposes imposing 500% secondary tariffs on India, China, and Brazil for purchasing cheap oil and gas from Russia.
The move is part of a broader US effort to pressure countries that continue economic relations with Russia amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Senator Graham stated that these countries are effectively fueling Russian President Vladimir Putin's war machine by buying discounted Russian energy supplies.
Senator Graham, a prominent Republican, had previously warned in July 2025 that India, China, and Brazil, all members of the BRICS group, could face severe economic sanctions if they persist in buying Russian oil. He emphasized on Fox News, "If you keep buying cheap Russian oil, to allow this war to continue, we will tariff the hell out of you."
The proposed bill aims to impose 500% tariffs as a secondary sanction on these countries to compel them to cease their purchases of Russian energy. This legislative effort follows US President Donald Trump's recent calls for NATO and European countries to impose tariffs on China to pressure Russia into peace talks.
Senator Graham praised President Trump's strong stance, saying, "We are very pleased to see such a strong statement from President Trump, urging America and Europe – primarily NATO nations – to simultaneously impose serious tariffs on China for propping up Putin’s war machine."
The bill reflects a bipartisan approach in the US Congress to intensify economic sanctions on Russia and its allies or partners. It targets countries that the US government accuses of undermining international efforts to end the conflict by continuing to buy Russian oil and gas at discounted rates.
According to the joint statement by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, the goal of the tariffs is not to escalate sanctions indefinitely but to bring about a peace agreement by pressuring Russia economically through its trading partners.
President Trump had earlier announced that if Russian President Putin did not reach a peace deal within 50 days, the US would impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas. The new bill seeks to raise this tariff rate to 500% for India, China, and Brazil.
The announcement has raised concerns in the affected countries, especially India, where trade relations with the US are significant and ongoing. The proposed tariffs could have substantial economic impacts on these nations if enacted.
This legislative initiative is part of the US government's broader strategy to isolate Russia economically and force an end to the war in Ukraine by cutting off its financial and energy resources.
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