U.S. President Donald Trump recently escalated his trade rhetoric by threatening to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on any country aligning itself with the BRICS group — a coalition of emerging economies that includes Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, and five newer members such as Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The announcement came shortly after the BRICS nations held a summit over the weekend where they condemned what they called “indiscriminate” U.S. import tariffs and criticized the joint Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Although the BRICS statement did not mention Trump by name, the group expressed “serious concerns” about the rise of unilateral tariffs and other trade barriers that, in their view, violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and threaten global trade stability.
What Trump Said and Its Implications
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on July 6, Trump declared:
“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10 percent Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
This threat represents a clear hardening of Trump’s stance toward BRICS and specifically Russia — a significant shift, considering Russia was one of the few countries spared from the reciprocal tariffs Trump initially announced earlier this year. That move sparked criticism from some analysts who believed Trump was prioritizing his personal relationship with Vladimir Putin over strategic alliances with traditional U.S. partners.
A Sharp Decline in U.S.-Russia Trade
Sanctions and geopolitical tensions have already shrunk trade between the U.S. and Russia drastically — from $35 billion in 2021 down to an estimated $3.5 billion in 2024. Trump’s latest tariff threat could further strain what little economic engagement remains between the two countries, potentially deepening Russia’s economic isolation.
The Broader Context: BRICS Expansion and Global Trade
BRICS has expanded in recent years, adding several influential emerging economies, including Iran and Indonesia. This bloc positions itself as a counterweight to Western dominance in global affairs, especially in trade and finance.
Last year, Trump warned BRICS that the U.S. might impose 100 percent tariffs if the group pursued plans to establish a new currency to rival the U.S. dollar’s global supremacy.
The recent tariff threats followed by BRICS’ condemnation of these measures underscore rising tensions in the global economic order. BRICS leaders argue that these unilateral tariffs disrupt supply chains and violate WTO norms, threatening worldwide economic stability.
Upcoming Tariff Deadlines and Trade Negotiations
Trump’s initial 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is set to expire on July 9. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that higher tariff rates could be imposed in August unless the targeted countries negotiate trade deals with the U.S. before then.
Bessent told CNN that many countries had failed to engage proactively with the U.S. on trade discussions, casting doubt on the effectiveness of Trump’s “dealmaker” claims. However, his remarks also suggest there is still room for diplomatic maneuvering before any tariffs take effect.
What This Means Going Forward
The latest tariff threats highlight Trump’s willingness to use economic pressure aggressively in his foreign policy toolkit — not just against traditional rivals like China, but also emerging coalitions like BRICS. This approach could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. relations with key global players, especially Russia and its allies.
As global economic and geopolitical fault lines shift, watch closely how BRICS countries respond, whether they seek closer ties internally, and how the U.S. balances trade aggression with diplomatic outreach in the coming months.
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