US must lead, tariffs key to pressuring Putin for peace: Senator Lindsey Graham

Senator Lindsey Graham

In a joint statement on social media, Graham said he was “very pleased" with Trump’s strong call for coordinated economic action. He emphasized that "the free world must act, and America must lead."

Graham further argued that China was "propping up Putin's war machine" by purchasing discounted Russian oil and gas, and therefore must face punitive tariffs from the United States and its NATO allies.

“For months, we’ve worked together on legislation that would back up this strategy, authorizing the President to levy significant tariffs on countries like China, India and Brazil that continue to finance Putin by buying his cheap oil and gas…We strongly support President Trump’s call for joint action with Europe, and believe this is the right approach to bring maximum economic pressure to bear," Graham and Fitzpatrick said.

The free world must act, and America must lead. My statement with @RepBrianFitz: pic.twitter.com/bjdpe1ln2K

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 13, 2025

He argued that China was “propping up Putin’s war machine" by buying discounted Russian oil and gas and therefore must face punitive tariffs from the United States and its NATO allies, according to an ANI report.

The two lawmakers added that they have been working for months on a bill that would authorize Trump to impose significant tariffs on China, India, and Brazil, stating that these countries continue to "finance Putin by buying his cheap oil and gas.