WASHINGTON: US Senator Lindsey Graham has applauded President Donald Trump’s move to slap a 50% tariff on India over its purchase of Russian oil, describing it as a key step towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Posting on social media on Thursday, the Republican senator called the decision a “defining moment” in the conflict, hoping that it strikes at the financial lifeline fuelling Russia’s war efforts.
The US politician said this after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil, sharply escalating tensions between the two countries after trade talks collapsed.
The new measure raises tariffs on some Indian goods to as high as 50% — among the steepest faced by any US trading partner.
Graham stressed that President Trump and his team’s push to end the war was showing “real dividends”.
Graham also expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to help end the war “justly” and prevent future conflict. He also pointed to broad bipartisan support in Congress for Russia-related sanctions and tariffs, noting that 85 senators were backing related legislation.
The US politician ended his statement with a warning: “When it comes to Putin’s Russia: Don’t trust. Verify.”
The Republican senator said this in response to Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social about his special envoy Steve Witkoff who had held a “highly productive” meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier in the day, Trump welcomed the development achieved during the meeting between Witkoff and Putin. “Great progress was made,” Trump said, adding that he had briefed European allies afterwards.
“Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.”
In an executive order issued from the White House, the US president said: “I find that the government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.
“Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%.”
The US president further said he determined it “necessary and appropriate” to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India since it was directly or indirectly importing Russian oil.
The order maintains exemptions for items targeted by separate sector-specific duties such as steel and aluminum, and categories that could be hit like pharmaceuticals.
The move is expected to hit key Indian export sectors including textiles, footwear, and gems and jewellery and marks the most serious downturn in US-India relations since Trump returned to office in January.
It also comes as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his first visit to China in over seven years, suggesting a potential realignment in alliances as ties with Washington fray.
“India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” India’s external affairs ministry said in a statement, saying it was “extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”
It said India’s imports were based on market factors and aimed at energy security for its population of 1.4 billion.
