Brace yourselves, because international trade is about to get a whole lot tougher. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning: any nation caught doing business with Russia will face 'very severe' sanctions. This declaration signals a significant escalation in the ongoing pressure campaign against Moscow.
During a press briefing on Sunday, November 17, 2025, President Trump addressed the possibility of new congressional measures targeting Russia and President Vladimir Putin. He stated his approval, noting that Republicans were already drafting legislation. This legislation, according to Trump, would impose exceptionally tough sanctions on any country engaging in business with Russia, with the potential inclusion of Iran.
"Any country that does business with Russia will be very severely sanctioned," Trump reiterated, highlighting the administration's firm stance. He also mentioned the possible addition of Iran to the sanctioning framework.
This isn't just a threat; it's a continuation of existing strategies. The Trump administration has already implemented tariffs, including a 50% tariff on India, one of the highest globally, specifically targeting its purchases of Russian energy, with a 25% levy.
But here's where it gets controversial... Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a bill proposing a staggering 500% tariff on the secondary purchase and resale of Russian oil. This proposal enjoys near-unanimous support within the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Furthermore, Senators Graham and Richard Blumenthal co-authored the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. This act aims to enforce secondary tariffs and sanctions on countries that continue to support Putin's actions in Ukraine. The proposed legislation has already garnered 85 cosponsors in the Senate.
In a joint statement released in July, Senators Graham and Blumenthal emphasized the administration's approach to ending the conflict, stating that tariffs against countries like China, India, and Brazil, which are major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, would be the ultimate tool to halt the war.
And this is the part most people miss... This aggressive stance on sanctions could significantly reshape global trade dynamics.
What do you think? Will these measures effectively pressure Russia, or could they backfire, causing unintended consequences? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
