Senator Lindsey Graham hails 50pc tariff on India as blow to Putin

WASHINGTON (Web Desk) - US Senator Lindsey Graham has hailed President Donald Trump’s 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports over Russian oil deals as a bold strike, calling it a turning point in the global push to curb Moscow's ability to finance its war machine.

In a statement on social media on Thursday, the Republican senator said the tariff was a “defining moment” in the conflict, as it targeted funds that help sustain Russia’s war machine.

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.”