Lindsey Graham used a Wednesday appearance on ’s Hannity to press Donald Trump to threaten China with tariffs if Beijing keeps backing Russia and Iran. He said China should cut off both countries, help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, help stop the fighting between Russia and Ukraine, and help thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“If you help us, I will be very grateful. If you don’t help us, and you continue to prop up these regimes, I will do business with you on Monday, and put tariffs on you on Tuesday,” Graham said, adding that he would introduce legislation to let Trump impose tariffs on China for buying Russian oil. China is the largest buyer of Russia’s coal and crude oil exports, and also the largest buyer of Iran’s oil exports.
The timing mattered because Trump was holding a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Graham’s message was aimed at forcing the issue while the talks were still underway. He said China should be pushed to help with the wider standoff involving Russia, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, rather than allowed to keep doing business as usual while Washington negotiates.
Graham also said earlier this week that he had spoken with Pentagon officials as he tried to undermine Pakistan, which the article says is a key mediator in ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. That fits a pattern the article describes as Graham continually trying to insert himself into foreign negotiations, even when the diplomacy is already moving through other channels.
He put the point bluntly: “The only thing China respects is strength.” Then he turned to what happens after the summit ends. “So, when this [summit] is over, if they’re still doing the same damn thing with Iran and Russia and we don’t punish China, we’ve made a mistake,” Graham said. The warning leaves little room for ambiguity: if Beijing stays aligned with Moscow and Tehran, he wants Washington to respond fast, with tariffs first.
That is the fight Graham is trying to shape in real time. He is not just arguing for pressure on China; he is trying to make sure the next U.S. move happens while Trump still has leverage, and before the summit ends without consequences.
