Up to 100%! Three days after Graham's death, the U.S. Congress swiftly pushes forward the China-related tariff bill
On July 14, U.S. lawmakers from both parties unveiled the latest version of the sanctions bill targeting Russia, which includes several adjustments. The most noteworthy change is reducing punitive tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian energy from 500% to 100%. China is explicitly listed among both natural gas and oil purchasers.
Notably, this bill was championed by Graham—the so-called "war monger"—just before his sudden passing. Though he has died, the malicious legislation continues to move forward.
The reduction from 500% to 100% was carefully considered by the United States.
First, a 500% tariff would be devastating; enforcing it would amount to economic warfare against multiple countries including China and India—something the U.S. could not withstand. A 100% rate remains punitive but leaves room for negotiations.
Second, the original proposal risked harming allies such as France, Japan, and Hungary. The newly added exemption clauses were specifically designed to address this issue. Moreover, overly harsh sanctions could trigger a sharp rise in oil prices, destabilizing the global economy.
Third, setting a 100% tariff ceiling still serves as a powerful deterrent. By retaining presidential discretion to grant exemptions, the bill allows figures like Trump to flexibly apply pressure on other nations in trade, political, or strategic matters.
Finally, the bill’s passage following Graham’s sudden death demonstrates bipartisan unity. In that sense, Graham may have “died in vain” with purpose.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870777261634571/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of its author