US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on countries which align themselves with the “anti-American” policies of BRICS members. His threat came after the BRICS bloc condemned the increase of tariffs without naming Trump. BRICS leaders met in Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit on July 6 and 7.
“Any country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10 per cent tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday night.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025.
Trump also said in a separate post that the US would send out “letters” on tariffs and deals to various countries beginning Monday. “I am pleased to announce that the United States tariff letters, and/or deals, with various countries from around the world, will be delivered starting 12 pm, Monday, July 7. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he said.
BRICS warns of trade disruption
Sharp criticisms of rising tariffs, global militarisation and regional aggression were part of the concluding declaration of the BRICS summit held in Brasilia on Sunday with the bloc voicing strong disapproval of recent geopolitical developments that it said endangered global peace and economic stability.
While refraining from naming the United States directly, BRICS condemned unilateral tariff hikes and warned that such moves “threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty”. The declaration further noted that such restrictions were “not consistently in line with the rules of the World Trade Organisation”.
BRICS not a bloc for confrontation: China
Responding to Trump’s tariff threat in a guarded manner, China said on Monday that BRICS is not a bloc for confrontation and does not target any third country. BRICS is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a media briefing in Beijing on Monday.
Mao said BRICS advocates openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. “It is not a bloc for confrontation nor does it target any country," she said. Mao was responding to a question on Trump’s threat to impose additional 10 per cent tariffs on countries aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of the grouping of the emerging economies.
Referring to Trump’s tariff hike threats, she said China has made its position clear. “Trade and tariffs have no winners and protectionism leads nowhere,” she said.
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