by President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will impose an additional 10% tariff on any country that aligns itself with the BRICS group of developing nations, escalating tensions as the bloc holds its annual summit in Brazil.
The warning comes amid deepening global divisions and trade disputes, with BRICS — an alliance of major emerging economies — positioning itself as a counterweight to the U.S.-led global order.
Trump’s Ultimatum to BRICS Supporters
In a post on Truth Social, 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump did not elaborate on what constitutes “Anti-American policies,” but the timing of the announcement — just hours after BRICS leaders issued veiled criticism of his trade policies — left little doubt about the intended target.
The administration is pushing to finalize a series of trade deals with various nations before a self-imposed July 9 deadline for what Trump has called significant “retaliatory tariffs.”
BRICS: Growing Influence and Global Ambitions
The BRICS group, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later joined by South Africa, has expanded its reach in recent years. In 2024, the bloc welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as new members. Saudi Arabia has yet to formally join, though numerous other nations have expressed interest in either full membership or partnership status.
With the world’s geopolitical landscape increasingly polarized, BRICS leaders have sought to position the bloc as a haven for multilateral diplomacy and an alternative to Western-led alliances like the G7 and G20, which have struggled with internal divisions and what critics describe as Washington’s disruptive “America First” approach.
Summit Remarks Highlight Global Fractures
Speaking at the summit’s opening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva invoked the legacy of the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, which united developing nations seeking to avoid being drawn into superpower rivalries.
“BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula told leaders. “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”
Lula also emphasized BRICS’ growing global clout, noting the group now represents more than half the world’s population and roughly 40% of global economic output.
The BRICS joint statement released Sunday warned that rising tariffs, particularly those pushed by Washington, threatened global trade and economic stability — an indirect but clear rebuke of Trump’s policies.
Countries Caught in the Middle
The new U.S. tariff threat has placed countries considering BRICS membership or partnerships in a difficult position. Indonesia’s senior economic minister, Airlangga Hartarto, who is attending the summit in Brazil, is expected to travel to the United States on Monday for tariff talks, according to officials.
India’s foreign ministry has yet to comment on the situation.
What’s Next?
As Trump pushes ahead with aggressive trade policies and the BRICS bloc seeks to expand its influence, global economic and diplomatic tensions are likely to intensify.
With over 30 countries reportedly expressing interest in joining BRICS and Trump signaling economic punishment for those that align with the group, the world faces an uncertain period marked by rising protectionism and deepening geopolitical divides.
