Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-NC) issued a grave warning Thursday to Norway over its decision to cut ties with the American company Caterpillar, threatening the Scandinavian country with tariffs and urging its leaders to “reconsider” its “shortsighted decision.”

Graham’s threats come after the Wall Street Journal reported that Norway’s sovereign-wealth fund is ditching its shares of Caterpillar – among the world’s largest manufacturers of construction equipment – over Israel's use of the company’s equipment in systemically leveling homes in Gaza.

“To those who run Norway’s sovereign wealth fund: if you cannot do business with Caterpillar because Israel uses their products, maybe it’s time you’re made aware that doing business or visiting America is a privilege, not a right,” Graham wrote in a social media post on X Thursday.

“Maybe it’s time to put tariffs on countries who refuse to do business with great American companies.”

Just between March and July, Israel has demolished thousands of homes across Gaza, leveling entire towns and communities, according to satellite images reviewed by the British Broadcasting Network. Israel has defended the leveling of entire blocks as a “military necessity,” arguing that Hamas places “military assets” in civilian centers.

The Gazan city of Khan Yunis reduced to rubble amid Israel's ongoing siege on the Gaza Strip, Sept. 16, 2024.Alexander Willis / Raw Story

The destruction of civilian property, unless deemed a military necessity, is a war crime under international law, with the United Nations Human Rights Office last week urging countries that have signed onto the Geneva Conventions – which includes the United States – to follow their legal obligations by exerting “maximum pressure on Israel to immediately halt” its offensive.

According to the Wall Street Journal’s reporting, bulldozers constructed and sold by Caterpillar are frequently used in the demolition of Gaza homes. Norway has in turn decided to dump its 1.2% stake in the company, which was valued at around $2.4 billion in late 2024.

In his threat to Norway, Graham went on to suggest individuals involved in the decision to dump Caterpillar stock could face additional consequences from the United States as well.

“Or maybe we shouldn’t give visas to individuals who run organizations that attempt to punish American companies for geopolitical differences,” Graham wrote. “I would urge you to reconsider your shortsighted decision.”

Graham’s threats follow a previous outburst over Norway’s decision on Wednesday, where he called the move “beyond offensive,” and vowed that the country’s “BS decision will not go unanswered.”