Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to countries aligning themselves with the BRICS alliance, threatening an additional 10% tariff on imports from any nation supporting what he called “Anti-American policies.”
In a statement posted Sunday on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:
“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.”
The remarks come as BRICS leaders gather in Rio de Janeiro for a high-level summit aimed at strengthening the bloc’s position on the global stage.
The group originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa expanded last year to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Together, the alliance represents over half the world’s population and a growing share of global economic output.
At the summit, BRICS finance ministers jointly condemned Western tariff policies, calling them a threat to the global economy and a source of instability.
“Tariffs bring uncertainty into international economic and trade activities,” the ministers said in a statement issued Sunday.
The group also reiterated calls for sweeping reforms to international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and advocated for a more balanced system of global currency valuation a move seen by some analysts as a challenge to U.S. economic dominance.
Tensions flared further as BRICS leaders denounced recent military strikes on Iranian soil. Since mid-June, both Israel and the United States have conducted targeted strikes in Iran, including reported hits on nuclear facilities. The bloc condemned the actions as violations of international law.
The Rio summit was attended by several world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Chinese President Xi Jinping was notably absent, sending Premier Li Qiang in his place.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, participated virtually.
Trump’s latest threat echoes a similar warning from 2024, when he vowed to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they proceeded with plans to develop a new currency to rival the U.S. dollar.
While that initiative has not yet materialized, discussions about de-dollarization and alternative financial systems have gained momentum within the bloc.
With Trump leading in early Republican polls ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, his comments may foreshadow a more aggressive trade posture should he return to office.
Written By Ian Maleve
