Overview
- Speaking on Fox News, Graham said Wednesday that he would push tariffs on China if it keeps backing Russia and Iran, warning he would “do business on Monday and put tariffs on Tuesday.”
- Graham said he has introduced or will introduce a bill to let President Trump levy tariffs on China for buying Russian oil and gas.
- His remarks landed as Trump met Xi in Beijing for a two-day summit, and coverage framed the comments as an attempt to influence the talks’ outcome.
- Graham tied his demand to China’s role as the top buyer of Russian coal and crude and of Iranian oil, and he urged Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and block Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
- There is no indication the administration has adopted his threat or that Beijing has responded to the ultimatum.