Trump warns: Nations trading with Russia will face 'severe consequences'
PTC Web Desk: US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning that nations continuing commercial ties with Russia will face “very severe sanctions,” as the White House and Republican lawmakers move forward with intensified legislative measures aimed at Moscow.
Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, Donald Trump signalled his approval for congressional efforts to introduce tougher penalties on Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. “I hear they're working on it, and that’s fine with me,” Trump said when asked if it was time for Congress to escalate pressure on Russia.
“They’re advancing legislation… Republicans are bringing very tough sanction proposals targeting any country doing business with Russia. Iran may also be included — I suggested that,” he added.
Reiterating his administration’s stance, Trump said any nation engaged in trade with Russia would face severe consequences. He also noted that Iran could be added to the sanctions framework.
India is among the countries affected, with the Trump administration already imposing tariffs of up to 50 percent, some of the highest globally, including a 25 percent duty on its imports of Russian energy.
A new Bill introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham proposes a massive 500 percent tariff on secondary purchases or resale of Russian oil. The measure has gained near-unanimous support within the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Graham, along with Senator Richard Blumenthal, has also introduced the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, aimed at levying secondary sanctions and tariffs on countries that “continue to bankroll Putin’s war in Ukraine” through energy purchases. The legislation currently has 85 Senate cosponsors, highlighting overwhelming bipartisan backing.
In a joint statement issued in July, Graham and Blumenthal said: “President Trump and his administration have taken a bold step by implementing a new strategy to stop the carnage in Ukraine. But the decisive tool needed to end this war is a sweeping tariff regime against countries, such as China, India, and Brazil, that sustain Putin's war effort by buying discounted Russian oil and gas.”
- With inputs from agencies
