BRICS member nations have dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the bloc is “anti-American,” after he threatened new tariffs against its members.
Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded pointedly, declaring, “The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor.”
Trump’s threat, made Sunday night, came as the U.S. prepared to finalize numerous trade deals ahead of a July 9 deadline for imposing retaliatory tariffs. Though the administration has not yet implemented the proposed 10% tariffs on BRICS nations, a source indicated the U.S. would proceed if it deemed any member state’s policies “anti-American.”
READ ALSO: Trump threatens new tariffs on BRICS nations
Speaking at the close of the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Lula defended the BRICS alliance, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa saying it aims to reshape global economic structures. “This is a set of countries that wants to find another way of organizing the world from the economic perspective. That’s why BRICS makes people uncomfortable,” he noted.
Lula also reiterated his stance on reducing dependency on the U.S. dollar in international trade. While acknowledging that such a shift must be approached carefully, he emphasized that global trade should not always have to pass through the dollar.
“The world needs to find a way where our trade relations don’t have to pass through the dollar,” he said. “Our central banks must discuss this with other central banks, and it’s something that happens gradually until it’s consolidated.”
Earlier this year, Trump warned that BRICS members could face 100% tariffs if they attempted to undermine the dollar’s dominance. Brazil has since toned down its support for a common BRICS currency, but Lula maintained that alternatives to the dollar remain essential for fairer global commerce.
REUTERS
