Des Moines, Iowa: U.S. President Donald J. Trump has announced a new trade policy that would impose an additional 10% tariff on any country “aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS,” escalating economic tensions just as the bloc gathers for its annual summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The warning was posted on Truth Social late Sunday night, with Trump declaring that there will be “no exceptions” to the new rule.
“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff,” the post read. “There will be no exceptions to this policy.”
Rising Trade Tensions With the Global South
Trump’s move comes amid a high-profile gathering of the BRICS group, an economic and diplomatic bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and recently expanded members: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
The group has positioned itself as a counterweight to Western influence, aiming to represent the interests of the Global South across trade, politics, and development.
This year’s BRICS summit, hosted by Brazil, has focused on de-dollarization, digital finance integration, and cooperative diplomacy. Though Chinese President Xi Jinping was absent, Premier Li Qiang represented Beijing. Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the meeting via video.
U.S. to Deliver Tariff Notices This Week
Trump also confirmed that formal notices outlining new tariffs and agreements would begin going out to U.S. trading partners on Monday, July 7, in a move that could reshape trade dynamics for dozens of economies.
“We’re protecting American workers,” Trump said in earlier remarks during an America250 rally in Des Moines. “Those who partner with our rivals must understand there will be economic consequences.”
The announcement follows a series of moves by the administration to reconfigure U.S. trade relationships, with a renewed focus on isolating competitors seen as challenging American global leadership.
What This Means for BRICS and Global Trade
The additional tariff threat adds a new layer of complexity to already strained global trade relations. Many of the BRICS nations are key U.S. partners in energy, defense, and technology markets. Analysts say the new measure could lead to counter-tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and investment uncertainty, particularly for emerging markets that depend on bilateral trade with both the U.S. and BRICS nations.
“This is a major inflection point,” said a Washington-based trade expert. “Depending on enforcement, it could divide global supply lines along ideological lines.”
More clarity is expected once country-specific tariff rates and exemptions, if any, are released by the U.S. Trade Representative's Office in the coming days.
