In a dramatic and controversial announcement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to impose a 10% additional tariff on all countries aligning with what he described as “anti-American” policies promoted by the BRICS alliance. The declaration, made during the ongoing BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, marks a new chapter in the escalating global trade and geopolitical tensions, as Trump positions himself as a hardliner in his potential return to the White House.

A Bold Move Against BRICS

Trump’s threat targets the growing influence of the BRICS bloc, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with several newly joined nations. In recent years, BRICS has actively sought to challenge U.S. economic dominance by promoting de-dollarization, creating alternatives to Western financial systems, and criticizing American foreign policy.

Calling BRICS “a global club of anti-Americanism,” Trump announced that any nation that supports or partners with the bloc's agenda will face an additional 10% tariff on goods exported to the United States. He claimed that this move is essential to “protect American interests, workers, and sovereignty.”

The announcement was first made through his social media platform and later echoed in press briefings, sparking immediate responses from international markets and governments.

Timing and Political Calculations

Trump’s declaration comes at a crucial moment in his 2025 campaign, as he positions himself as the defender of U.S. economic supremacy. With growing concerns among U.S. lawmakers over the influence of BRICS, especially its push to move away from the U.S. dollar in international trade, the former president appears to be capitalizing on a nationalistic wave.

In his statement, Trump accused BRICS nations of “economic aggression,” claiming that their policies are deliberately designed to undermine the U.S. economy and disrupt global trade norms. He also criticized what he called “weak American leadership” for allowing BRICS to expand its reach and threaten the dollar-based financial system.

According to Trump, the 10% tariff is just the beginning. He warned that further penalties—including asset freezes, import bans, and restrictions on tech transfers—could follow if BRICS partners continue what he called “hostile economic behavior.”

Market and Diplomatic Reactions

The announcement immediately rattled global financial markets. Stock indexes in Asia and Europe slipped in early trading, while U.S. stock futures saw sharp declines amid uncertainty over looming trade disruptions. The U.S. dollar, ironically, surged in value as investors sought safe-haven assets in response to the developing trade war rhetoric.

Several BRICS member states have reportedly begun emergency meetings to assess the situation and draft coordinated responses. While official statements from key players like China, India, and Brazil are expected soon, insiders suggest that the bloc may retaliate with counter-tariffs or accelerate efforts to isolate the U.S. from emerging financial institutions.

Trade analysts and economists have warned that such unilateral tariffs, if enacted, could violate World Trade Organization rules and spark a full-blown trade war. This, in turn, could damage global supply chains, raise prices for consumers, and deepen divisions between the West and the Global South.

Echoes of the Past

This isn’t the first time Trump has used tariffs as a political weapon. During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, he imposed sweeping tariffs on China, the European Union, and even Canada and Mexico—leading to a series of retaliatory measures and international disputes. Critics argued that while some sectors benefitted temporarily, the long-term impact was negative for global trade and U.S. diplomatic relations.

What makes this new declaration different is its sweeping nature. Instead of targeting specific countries for specific issues, the new 10% tariff threat appears ideological, applying broadly to any nation seen as siding with BRICS politically or economically.

Global Stakes and the Road Ahead

The next few weeks will be critical. Trump has indicated that formal tariff letters will be sent to trading partners within days, and implementation could begin as early as mid-July. Many countries that maintain close ties with both the U.S. and BRICS—such as India, South Africa, and Brazil—now face a difficult balancing act.

This escalation may also force other global powers to take sides. The European Union, for instance, has remained relatively neutral in the BRICS vs. U.S. narrative, but increased American pressure may shift diplomatic alignments.

Back in the U.S., Trump’s announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Some in the business community fear price hikes and market instability, while his political base has praised the move as a necessary stand against what they perceive as global anti-Americanism.

What’s certain is that the global order

Trump’s threat to “finish BRICS” through aggressive economic policy marks a major escalation in the battle for global influence. Whether it leads to productive negotiation, retaliatory trade wars, or deeper geopolitical divides remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the global order is shifting—and Trump, once again, has thrown fuel on the fire.

As the world watches and waits, the question looms: is this the beginning of a new economic era—or the start of global fragmentation?