US Tariffs: Who Is Lindsey Graham, Senator Who Warned Trump Would 'Crush' India's Economy?

Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 15:04 IST

Graham’s journey began in the US House of Representatives, where he made history in 1994 as the first Republican to win South Carolina’s Third Congressional District since 1877

US Senator Lindsey Graham. (AFP)

In an explicit warning to India, China and Brazil, US Senator Lindsey Graham has cautioned that President Donald Trump plans to enforce hefty tariffs on nations that keep importing oil from Russia. In a recent Fox News interview, Graham said: “Trump is going to impose tariffs on people that buy Russian oil—China, India, and Brazil," arguing that the countries were helping fund the war in Ukraine as they accounted for around 80 per cent of Russia’s crude exports.

Graham, while addressing Putin directly, said: “You have played President Trump at your own peril. You made a major league mistake, and your economy is going to continue to be crushed. We’re flowing weapons to Ukraine, so Ukraine will have the weapons to fight Putin back."

WHO IS LINDSEY GRAHAM?

Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1977, with a Bachelor in Arts degree in psychology. He also holds a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law with a Juris Doctor in 1981, the Hindustan Times reported.

From 1982-1988, Graham actively served in the United States Air Force as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He served as both a defence attorney and chief prosecutor before being assigned to Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt. In 2014, Graham was honoured with the prestigious Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service and was promoted to the rank of colonel.

Graham’s political journey began in the US House of Representatives, where he made history in 1994 as the first Republican to win South Carolina’s Third Congressional District since 1877.

A Republican Senator from South Carolina, Graham has been a well-known figure in Washington since his election to the Senate in 2002. He also secured re-election in 2008, 2014 and 2020.

At present, Graham serves as chairman of the senate budget committee and is a part of several other influential panels, including the senate appropriations, judiciary, and environment and public works committees.

Graham was a vocal critic of Donald Trump’s earlier presidential campaign and openly stated that he did not support him. In a tweet on X in May 2016, he said: “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed…and we will deserve it." The dynamic shifted in 2017 after a meeting with the President, marking a turning point for Graham. From that point on, he emerged as one of Trump’s most steadfast allies, frequently speaking out in his support.

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