Trump, Graham, Happy Tariff Pushing India To Cut Russian Oil Imports

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham on January 4 highlighted what they described as the impact of US tariff pressure on India’s energy trade with Russia, arguing that tougher trade measures have pushed New Delhi to reduce its purchases of Russian oil.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to the White House from West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump in his unique diplomatic style, praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “good man” for responding to Washington’s concerns over continued imports of Russian crude.

Trump said India adjusted its approach after recognizing US dissatisfaction with its energy ties to Moscow. Referring to Modi, the President said the Indian leader understood it was important to address those concerns, adding that trade leverage remains a powerful tool. Trump warned that tariffs could be increased rapidly if countries change course, saying the United States retains the ability to raise duties “very quickly.”

The remarks came as Senator Graham, who was traveling with Trump, emphasized that tariff pressure has already produced results. Graham said the administration’s decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil has led to a substantial reduction in those imports, weakening Russia’s capacity to finance its war in Ukraine.

“I really do believe what he did with India is the chief reason India is now buying substantially less Russian oil,” Graham told reporters, describing tariffs as an effective foreign policy instrument.

Graham said he is advancing legislation that would give the President broad authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue to buy discounted Russian energy. Under the proposal, tariffs could range from zero to as high as 500 percent, entirely at the President’s discretion.

“If you’re buying cheap Russian oil and keeping Putin’s war machine going, we’re trying to give the President the ability to make that a hard choice,” Graham said.

He added that the approach is already influencing diplomatic conversations. Speaking in an interview on  ‘Face the Nation’ on CBS, Graham said the Indian envoy to Washington, Vinay Kwatra, raised the issue. “I met with the Indian ambassador … He wants relief from the tariffs President Trump is going to impose on everybody,” Graham said. According to the senator, the request was linked to India’s energy choices. “He said, ‘We want to buy more of your oil and gas and less of Russia’s. Could we get a break on the tariffs?’” Graham said.

Graham is the chief sponsor of the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which he has described as a forceful measure aimed at cutting off the economic lifelines of the Russian military. He has identified China, India, and Brazil as key countries of focus, noting that they collectively account for roughly 70 percent of Russia’s oil exports.