Trump vows a 10% tariff on imports from any country siding with BRICS.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited global trade tensions after threatening an extra 10% import tariff on any country aligning itself with the BRICS alliance.
In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned:
“Any country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.”
The warning comes as BRICS leaders hold a major summit in Rio de Janeiro, where they are pushing for a bigger role in global finance and politics.
The summit, attended by top officials from Brazil, Russia, India, China (via Premier Li Qiang), and South Africa, plus new members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Ethiopia, focused on strengthening the bloc’s global influence.
Finance ministers from the bloc fired back at U.S. trade practices, labelling Western tariffs a threat to global economic stability:
“Tariffs bring uncertainty into international economic and trade activities,” they noted in a joint statement.
BRICS also repeated its call for reforming global financial institutions like the IMF and challenged U.S. control over the world’s currency systems, moves seen as a signal of growing frustration with U.S. dominance.
Another major flashpoint at the summit was the situation in Iran. BRICS leaders condemned recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, calling them violations of international law and sovereignty.
The bloc’s response adds weight to its growing criticism of Western foreign policy, particularly in conflict zones.
This isn’t the first time Trump has aimed at BRICS. In 2024, he threatened 100% tariffs if the group launched a new currency to rival the U.S. dollar, a plan that hasn’t fully materialised but remains under discussion.
With the group representing more than half the world’s population and increasing economic power, any moves toward financial independence could seriously disrupt U.S. interests.
With Trump leading in early Republican primary polls, his comments are being seen by many as a signal of what’s to come if he reclaims the presidency.
Trade, tariffs, and international alliances are once again likely to become key battlefronts in global diplomacy, especially if BRICS continues to challenge the dollar’s supremacy.
In short, Trump’s message is clear: pick a side, but it might cost you.
