US President, Donald Trump has warned of fresh tariffs on any country backing what he called “anti-American policies” of the BRICS group, as his administration moves to ramp up trade pressure ahead of a key deadline.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that starting Monday, the U.S. would send out tariff letters to dozens of countries. He threatened an additional 10% duty on nations aligning with BRICS, though he did not specify which policies he viewed as anti-American.
BRICS originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has recently expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE, with additional partners like Nigeria and Thailand. The bloc champions a multipolar world order that reduces Western dominance, recently criticizing the rise of “unilateral tariff measures,” a veiled reference to U.S. trade practices.
Trump’s move comes as the administration’s 90-day tariff pause nears its end on Wednesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said roughly 100 letters would be sent, many to smaller nations with minimal trade, locking in a baseline 10% tariff. Trump suggested rates could range up to 70%, though Bessent clarified major partners wouldn’t face the highest levels.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the tariffs would take effect August 1, saying the administration was applying “maximum pressure.”
Trump insisted most countries would either secure deals or receive tariff letters by July 9. He pointed to recent agreements with the UK, China, and Vietnam as examples, while cautioning that countries failing to negotiate would revert to previous higher rates.
The BRICS summit in Brazil over the weekend added friction. Member nations voiced concerns over attacks on Iran and condemned strikes on civilian infrastructure, indirectly referencing Israeli and U.S. operations. The summit also discussed cross-border payments, though the idea of a shared BRICS currency — floated in 2023 — has largely faded.
When asked about Trump’s latest threat, China’s Foreign Ministry defended BRICS as a cooperative platform not aimed at any country, warning that trade wars and tariffs serve no one’s interest.
“Arbitrarily increasing tariffs does not serve the interests of any party,” spokesperson Mao Ning said.
Trump’s tough stance injects new uncertainty into global markets, just days before his administration’s self-imposed tariff decision deadline. It also underscores how BRICS’ growing influence is drawing sharper scrutiny from Washington, especially as the group seeks to challenge Western-led economic structures.
