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| 10% tariff on goods from BRICS nations. |
Washington, D.C. – In a fiery statement on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump took aim at the BRICS alliance, accusing the coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa of plotting to undermine the United States and weaken the U.S. dollar. Speaking with his characteristic bluntness, Trump warned that the group’s actions could provoke serious economic consequences, including a proposed 10% tariff on goods from BRICS nations.
The BRICS bloc, formed in 2006 to foster economic cooperation among emerging markets, has grown in global influence, recently expanding to include new members like Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The alliance has been pushing for greater use of local currencies in trade, a move some analysts see as an attempt to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar in global markets. This shift has sparked concern in Washington, with Trump framing it as a direct attack on American economic dominance.
“They’re trying to hurt us,” Trump declared during a press briefing at the White House. “The BRICS group thinks they can degenerate our dollar, the backbone of the world economy. I’m not going to let that happen. If they keep pushing, we’ll hit them with a 10% tariff across the board. Believe me, they’ll feel it.”
Trump’s remarks reflect growing tensions between the U.S. and the BRICS nations, particularly as the bloc explores alternatives to dollar-based trade. At recent summits, BRICS leaders have discussed creating a common payment system and boosting trade in their own currencies, moves that could challenge the dollar’s status as the world’s primary reserve currency. For Trump, who has long championed “America First” policies, this represents a threat that demands a strong response.
Economists are divided on the potential impact of Trump’s proposed tariffs. Some warn that additional levies on BRICS countries—major trading partners like China and India—could disrupt global supply chains and raise prices for American consumers. “Tariffs are a blunt tool,” said Dr. Emily Carter, an economist at Georgetown University. “They could hurt U.S. businesses and households as much as they hit BRICS economies, especially if those countries retaliate.”
Others, however, argue that Trump’s hardline stance could pressure BRICS nations to reconsider their financial strategies. “The U.S. still holds immense economic leverage,” said Mark Thompson, a trade policy analyst. “Threatening tariffs sends a clear message that Washington won’t sit idly by while the dollar’s dominance is challenged.”
The BRICS alliance has yet to respond formally to Trump’s comments, but leaders from member states have previously dismissed similar criticisms as overblown. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for instance, emphasized at a recent BRICS summit that the group’s goal is to promote inclusive growth, not to target any single nation. Chinese officials, meanwhile, have accused the U.S. of weaponizing its currency to maintain global hegemony.
Trump’s tariff threat aligns with his broader economic agenda, which includes protecting American industries and reducing trade deficits. During his first term, he imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, sparking a trade war that reshaped global commerce. A new round of tariffs could escalate tensions further, particularly with China, the world’s second-largest economy and a key BRICS member.
As the world watches, Trump’s latest salvo against BRICS underscores the high stakes of global economic rivalries. Whether his tariff threat materializes—and how BRICS nations respond—could shape the future of international trade and the U.S. dollar’s role in it.
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