Trump Threatens BRICS Nations with 10% Tariffs Over Anti-American Stance

U.S. President Donald Trump declared his plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from countries that back what he describes as “anti-American policies” associated with BRICS. This statement coincided with the ongoing BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Trump made it clear that there would be “no exceptions” to this tariff, in response to a declaration by BRICS leaders that criticized U.S. actions, including the strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip, particularly regarding humanitarian aid.

While the U.S. was not specifically named in the BRICS declaration, the document’s criticism of “unilateral tariff measures” was interpreted as a pointed reference to America’s protectionist strategies.

The BRICS summit, which includes countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, serves as a crucial forum for dialogue on trade and geopolitical concerns. The declaration issued on July 6 expressed serious apprehension regarding the increasing use of unilateral sanctions and tariffs that contravene World Trade Organization regulations. It also condemned the attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure and the restrictions placed on humanitarian support in Gaza. Furthermore, the statement reaffirmed support for the Paris Climate Agreement and advocated for international oversight of artificial intelligence.

Notably, the absence of key leaders such as Xi Jinping from China, Massoud Pezeshkian from Iran, and Vladimir Putin from Russia highlights the challenges of achieving consensus within the BRICS coalition.

Trump has previously escalated his threats against BRICS nations, warning of a potential 100% tariff on countries that attempt to establish an alternative to the U.S. dollar. In November 2024, he stated that any nation endorsing a new currency would effectively “say goodbye” to the American economy. This aggressive rhetoric has intensified following the BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024, where Putin introduced the BRICS Bridge platform aimed at facilitating transactions in national currencies through blockchain technology. Although the concept of a unified currency has not yet gained widespread support, it is noteworthy that 90% of transactions within BRICS are currently conducted in local currencies, with the Russian ruble and Chinese yuan playing significant roles.