U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on any country he says aligns with the “anti-American policies” of the BRICS bloc, escalating tensions just as the group of emerging economies meets in Brazil.
In a Sunday post on social media, Trump wrote: “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.”
The tariffs are set to take effect on August 1, with a deadline of July 9 for countries to finalize bilateral trade agreements with Washington.
Trump’s remarks come as leaders of the now-expanded BRICS bloc—originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—gather in Rio de Janeiro. The group recently added Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, and designated several other nations, including Cuba and Vietnam, as strategic partners.
This year’s summit focuses on trade, artificial intelligence, climate change, and internal cohesion. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, hosting the event, called for stronger global governance and warned of the “collapse of multilateralism.”
“If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to contribute to its renovation,” Lula said.
While Russia and China’s top leaders are absent from the summit, the meeting comes at a critical time for BRICS, whose recent expansion has raised questions about its unity and strategic direction.
Analysts say Trump’s tariff threat could further motivate member countries to deepen cooperation and reduce dependence on U.S.-led trade systems. “The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond by seeking alternatives and diversifying partnerships,” said Bruce Scheidl of the University of São Paulo.
The summit also provides a moment of relief for Lula amid rising domestic political tensions, offering a platform to push climate goals ahead of COP 30 in the Amazonian city of Belém this November.