President Donald Trump threatened an additional 10 percent tariff on countries that orient themselves along the ‘anti-American policies of BRICS,’ he announced.
His threat came as the BRICS group, an acronym of founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Other members include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Iran.
The president didn’t mention any specific policy in his threat.
‘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 on Truth Social.
He appeared to be responding to a joint statement the group released on Sunday that appeared to target his tariffs. It warned against ‘unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs.’
President Donald Trump continues to issue tariff threats – this time for BRICs nations
BRICS members want to reduce U.S. dominance in global finance and governance, believing power should be shared more fairly to match today’s economic realities and create a multipolar world instead of one led by the West.
The group also expressed support for Iran, one of its members, by condemning the military strikes on the country but notably did not name Israel or the U.S, which carried out the strikes.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the meeting in Brazil in person but Chinese President Xi Jinping sent Premier Li Qiang in his place while Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, attended online.
Additionally, Trump expressed his support for former President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, who is being tried for allegedly masterminding a plot to stage a coup after failing to be reelected in 2022.
‘Brazil is doing a terrible thing on their treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro. I have watched, as has the World, as they have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year! He is not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
It marks the first time in Brazilian history that a former head of state is being tried for attempting to overthrow the government. Trump faced federal charges on attempting to overturn the 2020 election results but those charges were dropped after he won the 2024 presidential contest.
‘I’ll be watching the WITCH HUNT of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and thousands of his supporters, very closely. The only Trial that should be happening is a Trial by the Voters of Brazil — It’s called an Election. LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE!’
Bolsonaro’s alleged plot included a plan to assassinate or arrest President-elect Lula da Silva before his inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023.
Heads of state from BRICS in Rio de Janeiro; of the five original member states – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – two leaders were absent from this year’s summit
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro testifying in court last month
The president has a busy week with his tariff deadline looming and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in town on Monday.
Trump announced tariff letters would be sent out to scores of countries on Monday, ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.
The president said on Sunday the U.S. was close to finalizing several trade pacts and would notify other countries by July 9 of higher tariff rates. He said they would not take effect until August 1, a three-week reprieve.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. will reveal new trade deals imminently, after receiving a wave of last-minute offers from other countries.
He didn’t specify which nations were involved. So far, agreements have been reached with the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and partially with China.
