Trump Warns 10% Tariff on Nations Supporting BRICS Anti-American Policies
Brics Nations Criticize U.S. Tariffs While Trump Doubles Down on Economic Threats
Amid rising global economic tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to countries aligning themselves with BRICS, threatening to impose an additional 10% tariff on any nation supporting what he called “anti-American policies.”
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated:
“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The warning comes just one day after BRICS leaders issued a joint summit declaration denouncing unilateral tariffs, seen by many as a thinly veiled critique of Trump’s ongoing trade strategies.
BRICS Denounces “Unilateral Tariffs,” Avoids Directly Naming Trump
During the BRICS summit held on Sunday, leaders from the group’s 11 member nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — united in voicing their concern over U.S. tariff policies.
“We express serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff measures,” the joint statement read, warning that such economic decisions could “jeopardize global trade stability” and “undermine multilateral economic systems.”
While the statement did not directly name Trump or the U.S., the tone and timing made clear the group’s discontent with the Biden-Trump era’s increasingly protectionist trade stance.
Trump’s Threat Follows Earlier Tariff Battles
President Trump has long been critical of multilateral trade bodies and alliances he deems “unfair” to American interests. His “America First” trade strategy previously targeted China, the European Union, Mexico, and Canada, with sweeping tariffs on steel, aluminum, and technology goods.
Earlier this year, Trump threatened a new round of punitive tariffs on both allies and competitors unless bilateral trade deals were renegotiated by August 1.
“We’ve made enough deals that hurt America. From now on, it’s fair trade — or no trade,” Trump said during an April press conference.
BRICS Expands, Seeks to Counterbalance U.S. Global Influence
Originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS expanded to include South Africa in 2010. In 2024, the group further expanded, adding Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The bloc now represents more than half the world’s population and nearly 40% of the global economy, making its unified statements increasingly influential on the world stage.
Though divided on some issues, the BRICS nations have found common ground on opposing U.S. global dominance — especially in matters of trade, military presence, and economic sanctions.
Iran Gains Symbolic Support, Despite Internal Disagreements
During the summit, BRICS members also offered symbolic support to Iran, condemning recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on nuclear and military sites within the country. The statement expressed “grave concern” over the growing instability in the Middle East.
However, not all BRICS members were in full agreement. For example, the bloc jointly called for a peaceful two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — a stance that clashed with Tehran’s hardline position.
A senior Iranian diplomat revealed that while Iran raised objections with Brazilian summit hosts, it ultimately did not block the final declaration, preferring to preserve unity among new BRICS members.
Analysts Warn of Escalating Global Trade Fragmentation
Economists and foreign policy analysts have cautioned that Trump’s latest tariff warning could escalate economic fragmentation, as more countries may be forced to choose between aligning with U.S.-led trade norms or BRICS-backed alternatives.
“If tariffs are imposed indiscriminately based on political alignment, global supply chains could suffer deeply,” warned Dr. Martina Ziegler of the World Trade Forum. “We are entering an era where ideology is becoming more important than economics.”
Will the America Party Push These Tariffs Further?
Trump’s feud with BRICS also comes amid his escalating political rivalry with Elon Musk, who recently announced the formation of the “America Party.” Musk opposes Trump’s latest tax cut and spending bill, arguing it would worsen national debt.
Trump has dismissed Musk’s third-party ambitions as “ridiculous”, insisting the U.S. functions best under a two-party system. But the public infighting among America’s wealthiest figures may further complicate the international perception of U.S. political stability.
Looking Ahead
As the August 1 deadline nears, tensions are expected to rise. Trump has not clarified how he will determine what qualifies as “alignment” with BRICS, or which countries may be first to face the additional 10% tariff.
In the meantime, BRICS nations are continuing discussions on developing alternative global financial systems, including a potential shared currency to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar — a move that would mark a significant geopolitical shift.
