US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country that supports the BRICS alliance and its policies that “go against American interests.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump declared: “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 warning comes as BRICS leaders meet in Rio de Janeiro and double down on their calls to reform global financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and reduce reliance on the US dollar. Finance ministers from the bloc jointly criticised global tariffs—such as those imposed by the US under Trump—as harmful to international economic stability.
Originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the BRICS bloc expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Together, the group now represents more than half of the global population and has grown increasingly vocal in its criticism of US-led economic dominance.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, BRICS ministers condemned recent military strikes on Iran—including those carried out by the US and Israel in June—calling them a violation of international law. They also took aim at “unilateral protectionist measures” as disruptive to the global economy.
Trump, who has long criticised BRICS for trying to challenge Western influence, has made economic nationalism and trade tariffs a centrepiece of his foreign policy. He previously threatened 100% tariffs on BRICS countries if they proceeded with plans to create a shared currency to rival the dollar.
Tensions have escalated further after Trump’s recent remarks and the bloc’s push for a “multipolar” world order. Analysts warn that his latest tariff threats could deepen global trade rifts and force key US allies into difficult positions if they wish to maintain relations with both Washington and rising powers like China and India.
While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the Rio summit in person, Chinese President Xi Jinping was notably absent, with Premier Li Qiang representing him. Russian President Vladimir Putin joined via video link due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
With geopolitical tensions and trade disputes intensifying, Trump’s warning may set the tone for further economic confrontation between the US and BRICS members—many of whom play critical roles in global energy, manufacturing and finance.
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Trump threatens 10% tariff on countries aligning with BRICS
