Trump Warns BRICS Nations with Additional Tariffs Amid Growing Trade Tensions
President Trump Warns BRICS countries will face an extra 10% tariff if they criticize U.S. trade policies. The action raises tensions with the group of growing economies, just days before his July 9 trade deadline.
At a summit in Rio de Janeiro, leaders of BRICS countries, which include Brazil, Russia, India, and China, spoke out against U.S. tariffs, calling them “indiscriminate” and bad for global trade. In response, Trump went on his Truth Social platform.
“Any country that supports BRICS’ anti-American policies will have to pay a 10% tariff. Trump said, “There will be no exceptions.” This direct message shows that the U.S. is changing its strategy sharply toward countries that are seen as working against American trade goals.
Trump said that his administration will start sending tariff letters on Monday, July 7. These will go to countries that haven’t finished making trade deals with the U.S. He said that as many as 15 countries could be affected right before his July 9 deadline.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the 10% tariffs will take effect on August 1. “The President is setting both the rates and the deals now,” Lutnick said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the delay is not a deadline extension but an opportunity for deal-making.
On April 2, Trump first talked about the tariff plan, which he called “Liberation Day.” He suggested a 10% tax on almost all imports, with higher rates for some EU countries. The markets reacted strongly, so the White House put off the policy for 90 days.
The U.S. has only made deals with the UK and Vietnam as the deadline approaches. China has gotten a short break, but it’s still not clear if a full agreement will happen.
BRICS and Global Response
BRICS nations quickly denounced Trump’s tariff strategy. They questioned the legality and fairness of the policy, calling it harmful to developing economies. Trump’s new threat adds fuel to already rising tensions.
Japan has also pushed back. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned that Tokyo would not easily agree to U.S. terms.
One-on-One Pressure Tactics
Trump still uses a mix of public pressure, set deadlines, and private deal-making. He wants to make quick trade deals with each country on its own, without going through global alliances. Some countries are talking, but others are not, which makes a bigger trade rift more likely.
Trump’s warning to BRICS could change the way trade works around the world, but it’s hard to say what the long-term effects will be.
