Trump Supports 500% Tariffs on Russia’s Trade Partners
US President Donald Trump has privately endorsed a bill proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham that would impose 500% tariffs on goods and services from countries trading with Russia’s oil, uranium, gas, and related products. The measure, aimed at pressuring Moscow to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, has received Trump’s backing after he reportedly signaled approval during a weekend golf game with Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Graham, the bill’s sponsor, has long unsuccessfully pushed to advance the measure, but earlier this week Trump signaled he would be ‘OK’ with it if it passed. The senator told reporters on Wednesday that Trump instructed Senate Majority Leader John Thune over the weekend to push the legislation forward. The White House later confirmed its approval of the bill, although the Senate’s December agenda is already full, making the bill’s passage uncertain this year.
Speaking to reporters, Thune called Graham’s bill ‘an important tool’ that could help bring about a peaceful resolution between Russia and Ukraine. However, he expressed doubts about the bill passing this year, noting the Senate’s full agenda. Trump has increasingly pushed for sanctions on countries buying Russian oil in recent months, reflecting his frustration with the pace of talks between Moscow and Kiev.
In August, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports over New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia and later warned China of similar measures. He has also urged NATO and EU states to raise tariffs on Russian trade partners to attempt to pressure Moscow into a ceasefire. Russia has maintained it seeks a long-term, sustainable peace deal in the Ukraine conflict by addressing its root causes rather than accepting a temporary pause, which it views as a ploy to let Ukraine rebuild and rearm. Moscow has long condemned Western sanctions as politically motivated and illegal, warning they will eventually backfire.