Amidst the ongoing BRICS summit in Brazil, a new geopolitical controversy has erupted as U.S. President Donald Trump once again issued a stern warning to BRICS member countries. Through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump declared that any nation aligning with BRICS' so-called "anti-American policies" would face an additional 10% tariff from the United States.
This provocative message has sparked global concern, especially since it came shortly after BRICS released its joint statement during the summit. Although the joint communiqué did not directly name the United States, it clearly criticized the unilateral dominance of a few nations over global systems. The BRICS statement emphasized the need for reform in global institutions like the United Nations, IMF, and World Bank, advocating for fairer representation and rights for all countries.
The BRICS nations also strongly opposed the imposition of unilateral sanctions—often deployed by the U.S.—arguing that such measures disproportionately harm developing and poorer nations. These sentiments reflect a growing demand for a multipolar world order, where no single country holds excessive sway over global economic and political affairs.
Trump’s long-standing skepticism towards BRICS is well known. He has often perceived the group as an anti-U.S. coalition and is especially wary of their potential move to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar. His latest threat follows a similar statement made earlier this year in January, when he warned of imposing 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they pursued de-dollarization or the creation of a joint currency.
Adding further weight to the developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the summit via video conference. In his remarks, Putin urged BRICS members to strengthen intra-group transactions using their national currencies. He proposed the establishment of a dedicated settlement and depository system within BRICS to make currency exchanges more secure, efficient, and independent of Western influence.
Putin stressed that the use of local currencies in BRICS trade is already increasing and needs to be further accelerated. His statement is seen as a direct counter to the global dominance of the dollar, and one of the key reasons behind Trump’s sharp reaction.
Trump’s rhetoric reveals growing U.S. anxiety about BRICS' rising global influence. The fear is that as BRICS strengthens economic cooperation and potentially introduces an alternative reserve currency, it could undermine the dollar’s supremacy and by extension, weaken America’s global leverage.
As BRICS continues to assert itself on the international stage, especially in matters of economic independence and global governance reform, Washington’s aggressive posturing signals a broader battle for influence in a rapidly changing world order.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information and statements made by political leaders. It does not reflect the views or policies of the blog or its affiliates. Readers are encouraged to form their own opinions based on multiple sources.
