United States President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to countries aligning with the BRICS bloc, threatening a new 10% tariff on any nation he believes adopts what he described as “anti-American policies.”
The announcement came just hours after the start of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where leaders of member nations gathered to reinforce their push for multilateral diplomacy amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, opened on Sunday, July 6, 2025, with calls for greater autonomy for developing nations.
In his remarks, Lula likened BRICS to the Cold War-era Non-Aligned Movement, saying the bloc “inherits the legacy of resisting polarized global power structures.”
He emphasized, “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”
In a joint statement released Sunday afternoon, BRICS nations criticized the growing wave of protectionist policies, warning that excessive tariffs threaten the stability of global trade.
Although the statement did not directly name the US, it was widely interpreted as a response to Washington’s escalating trade rhetoric.
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Trump responded defiantly on his Truth Social platform, writing:
“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.”
He did not elaborate on what constitutes “anti-American policies,” nor did he name specific countries. However, the threat comes amid his administration’s race to conclude multiple bilateral trade deals ahead of a self-imposed July 9 deadline for broader retaliatory tariffs.
With BRICS expanding its influence—now representing over half of the global population and 40% of the world’s economic output—the group is increasingly seen as a counterweight to Western-dominated platforms like the G7 and G20.
India, a key BRICS member, has yet to comment officially on Trump’s tariff remarks. Analysts suggest the timing of the threat could be aimed at discouraging non-aligned nations from drawing closer to the bloc.
The diplomatic tension reflects deeper divisions in global trade policy and governance. While BRICS calls for inclusive development, South-South cooperation, and reform of international institutions, the US under Trump appears to be doubling down on protectionism and punitive tariffs.
Observers warn that such threats could derail delicate negotiations underway at the summit and strain US relations with emerging economies.
The next round of BRICS deliberations is expected to address further economic integration and expansion of partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
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