^{President Donald Trump | AP}

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country that aligns itself with what he called the “Anti-American policies of BRICS,” escalating already simmering global trade tensions. The warning comes just as BRICS nations gather for their annual summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the bloc took veiled shots at the U.S. over its protectionist trade strategies.

In a fiery post on Truth Social late Sunday, Trump declared:

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.”

A Clash of Economic Philosophies

The BRICS bloc—which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran—has long positioned itself as an alternative to Western-led global economic institutions. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, BRICS nations are increasingly pushing for a multipolar world, advocating for alternatives to U.S. dollar dominance and the traditional Western model of globalization.

In a joint statement over the weekend, BRICS leaders condemned “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs.” While the statement avoided naming the U.S. directly, the timing and tone left little doubt about the target.

The bloc also expressed support for member nation Iran following recent military strikes, without explicitly naming Israel or the United States—adding a layer of geopolitical friction to the ongoing economic feud.

U.S. Trade Policy Tightens Ahead of August Deadline

Trump’s latest threat coincides with the looming implementation of new tariffs first announced in April, which were initially slated to go into effect on July 9. Following a temporary 90-day pause, the new effective date is now set for August 1 for countries that haven’t reached bilateral trade deals with Washington.

Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that letters would begin going out Monday to notify countries of their updated tariff schedules. He clarified the August 1 date as final, stating:

“We are saying this is when it’s happening. If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that’s your choice.”

Uncertainty Grows Over What Constitutes ‘Anti-American’

Analysts say the broad and vague nature of Trump’s warning leaves many U.S. trade partners uncertain about how their alignment with BRICS policies will be interpreted. Stephen Olson, a former U.S. trade negotiator and senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, commented:

“By ‘anti-American,’ the president may be referring to the BRICS desire to move beyond a U.S.-led world order in finance and governance. But how that alignment will be measured is anyone’s guess.”

China, arguably the most influential member of BRICS, responded firmly. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, speaking during a regular press briefing Monday, said China “opposes any action of using tariffs as a tool to coerce others,” warning that “arbitrarily slapping tariffs does not serve the interests of any party.”

This statement, translated by CNBC from Mandarin, reflects Beijing’s long-standing opposition to Washington’s tariff-first approach to trade disputes.

Strategic Implications for Global Trade

The threatened tariffs raise new concerns for multinational corporations and global markets. Trump’s tougher stance could further isolate the U.S. from emerging economic alliances—many of which are increasingly finding common cause through BRICS in bypassing Western-led financial systems.

If implemented, the 10% additional duty could impact hundreds of billions in trade, especially if applied to BRICS-aligned economies that currently enjoy trade agreements or lower tariff rates with the U.S.

Investors and economists are now bracing for possible retaliatory measures, rising inflationary pressures, and further disruptions to already fragile global supply chains.

Final Outlook

With less than a month until new tariffs take effect, Trump’s aggressive rhetoric toward BRICS has opened a fresh front in the global trade war. As nations navigate the risks of aligning too closely with either side, the cost of doing business in a fractured geopolitical environment continues to rise—reshaping the global economy in real time.