Washington, D.C: President Donald Trump intensified pressure on countries engaging in commerce with Russia, declaring that his administration is prepared to impose “very severe” punitive measures on governments that continue economic ties with Moscow.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump signaled full support for ongoing efforts in Congress to craft sweeping sanctions aimed at isolating the Kremlin. “I hear they’re moving ahead with that, and that’s fine with me,” he said when asked about new legislative proposals targeting Russian trade.
He added that Republican lawmakers are drafting “very tough” provisions that would penalize any nation conducting business with Russia. “They may add Iran to that… I suggested it,” Trump said, stressing that the U.S. is prepared to expand the framework of the sanctions if needed.
The administration has already levied steep tariffs on several countries, including India. New Delhi currently faces a 50% tariff on select goods, in addition to a 25% duty related to its imports of Russian oil.
A major component of the emerging congressional effort is a proposal led by Senator Lindsey Graham, who has called for a 500% tariff on secondary purchases or resales of Russian crude. The measure, intended to deter countries from re-exporting discounted Russian oil, 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, a bill designed to impose secondary sanctions and heavy trade penalties on nations the U.S. believes are helping fund Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The legislation has drawn support from 85 senators, signaling strong bipartisan momentum.
In a joint statement earlier this year, Graham and Blumenthal argued that aggressive trade penalties could become the most decisive tool available to Washington. They accused countries such as China, India, and Brazil of “sustaining Putin’s war machine” by continuing to purchase Russian fossil fuels at discounted rates.
“President Trump and his team have taken a significant step by adopting a new strategy to end this bloodshed,” they said, adding that tariffs on third-party buyers of Russian energy could force a dramatic reduction in Moscow’s revenues.
As Congress debates the next phase of sanctions, Trump’s comments indicate that the administration is prepared to go further, potentially reshaping global trade flows and intensifying diplomatic tensions with several major economies.
