U.S. President Trump issues threats of tariffs aimed at disrupting the harmony within the BRICS alliance
In a significant move, President Donald Trump has announced that any country aligning with the "anti-American" policies of the expanded BRICS group, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, and other nations, will face an additional 10% tariff on their imports to the United States, with no exceptions [1][2].
This tariff threat was publicly announced on July 6/7, 2025, via Trump's social media and coincides with the end of a 90-day suspension on higher tariffs that had been in place. Letters have been sent to multiple countries regarding the imminent imposition of new tariffs or the reinstatement of increased duties as the suspension expires [2].
Trump's tariff initiative targets any BRICS-aligned countries that support policies aimed at challenging the supremacy of the U.S. dollar or other "anti-American" moves, such as the proposed BRICS currency initiatives. While the additional tariff is a significant economic pressure tactic, it is much lower than the 100% tariffs Trump had hinted at earlier [1][2].
As of July 2025, formal tariff deals have only been announced with three countries—the United Kingdom, China, and Vietnam. However, the broader tariff strategy, especially towards BRICS members, remains a key part of Trump’s economic policy stance [1].
Interestingly, Russia was initially spared from tariffs as there are no official trade deals with it. However, the countries currently part of BRICS are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Indonesia [3]. Specific tariffs have been announced: Brazil, Iran, Ethiopia, UAE, and Egypt - 10%; India - 26%; South Africa and Indonesia - 32%; and China - 34% [3].
It is important to note that Pavel Sharikov, a leading scientific employee of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that Trump's latest statement should not be treated as a final decision. Final agreements often turn out to be far from the initial ultimatums, according to Sharikov [4].
Trump has previously stated that if other nations tax American goods, they should expect retaliation. The White House will begin notifying countries about tariff impositions or trade deals starting today [5]. The announced tariffs could increase by another 10%.
Significant fluctuations on the stock exchanges or sharp comments from influential senators and governors could indicate how seriously Trump's threats are being taken inside the country and how likely they are to be implemented. It is crucial to closely monitor the American public's reaction, particularly the markets and the political elite.
This reflects a continuation and intensification of Trump's tariff measures aimed at countering the economic influence and coordination of the BRICS group under the banner of protecting U.S. economic interests and the US dollar's global role [1][2].
References: [1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/07/trump-announces-new-tariffs-on-brics-countries.html [2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-brics/trump-threatens-new-tariffs-on-brics-countries-idUSKBN25522R [3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-08/trump-unveils-brics-tariffs-as-part-of-global-trade-offensive [4] https://www.rt.com/business/468240-sharikov-trump-tariffs-brics/ [5] https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-tariffs-brics-countries-us-economic-offensive/
- The announced tariffs on imports from BRICS countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others, is a part of President Donald Trump's economic policy stance, aimed at countering the economic influence of the BRICS group.
- The additional 10% tariff on BRICS-aligned countries that support policies challenging the supremacy of the US dollar is a significant economic pressure tactic, lower than the 100% tariffs previously hinted at, and serves to protect US economic interests and the US dollar's global role.
- The tariff strategy, particularly towards BRICS members, is a key part of Trump's economic policy stance, with specific tariffs announced for countries such as Brazil, India, South Africa, and China, yet formal tariff deals have only been announced with the United Kingdom, China, and Vietnam as of July 2025.
