US President Donald Trump has announced a 10% extra tariff on all countries that align themselves with the BRICS group, citing their “anti-American policies.” The message, posted on his Truth Social platform, was brief and strong. “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,” Trump wrote.
The statement came as leaders from BRICS nations were gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a high-profile summit. During the event, the group made a clear statement against Trump’s global trade decisions and criticized recent military actions carried out by the US and Israel targeting Iranian infrastructure.
Summit Criticizes US Moves
In its joint communication, the BRICS bloc condemned the rising use of trade barriers by Western countries. They called Trump’s import tariffs “indiscriminate” and expressed concern over his aggressive economic tactics. The group also extended support to Iran, a fellow BRICS member, following a series of reported military strikes on Iran’s nuclear and critical sites by the US and Israel.
The remarks from BRICS and Trump’s retaliatory post have added fuel to already strained global relations. Analysts believe this back-and-forth signals deepening divisions between the West and emerging economies over trade, defense, and diplomatic influence.
What is BRICS?
BRICS is an international alliance of major developing countries originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The bloc has recently expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Together, these nations represent a massive portion of the world’s population and economic potential.
The group was created to challenge Western-dominated global systems and encourage multi-polar cooperation. BRICS works to reform institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, aiming to give greater voice to developing countries. It also focuses on areas like trade, security, energy, and technology.
Rising Global Divide
Trump’s 10% tariff threat could escalate trade wars and reduce diplomatic engagement between the US and a growing group of powerful nations. Experts warn that such broad, aggressive measures may hurt global supply chains and raise costs for US businesses and consumers. At the same time, the BRICS bloc appears more united than ever, determined to stand firm against Western dominance.
The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to test each other’s limits, through policy, diplomacy, and economic measures. Whether this leads to negotiation or further conflict is something the world will be watching closely.
