US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a warning for BRICS member countries, saying that any nation that aligns itself with ‘anti-American’ policies of the bloc will face an additional tariff of 10%
“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter, he added.
Trump offered no further explanation of what he meant by “Anti-American policies” in his post.
BRICS warns Trump’s ‘indiscriminate’ tariffs threaten global economy
Leaders of the BRICS bloc on Sunday issued a sharp warning against U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs, calling them “indiscriminate” and a threat to global economic stability. In a joint statement released after their summit in Rio de Janeiro, the bloc said: “We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules.” The reference was aimed squarely at Trump’s recent tariff actions, which have unsettled markets and strained relations with allies and rivals alike.
Also read: Trump says ‘take it or leave it’ tariff letters to ‘various countries’ will go out Monday; reveals a key detail
The expanded BRICS group—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newer members Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—now represents nearly half the global population and around 40% of the world’s GDP.
While divided on many issues, the bloc has found rare consensus in opposing what it views as Washington’s increasingly unilateral approach to global trade under Trump. The summit communiqué described such tariffs as “illegal and arbitrary,” warning they could “further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities.”
In April, Trump announced a baseline 10% tariff on most imports, with higher rates proposed for specific countries. After markets reacted sharply, he briefly paused implementation, but the White House has since signaled that tariffs could rise again—potentially up to 70%—if targeted nations do not accept new trade terms by August 1.
BRICS leaders said they would continue to advocate for a rules-based international trading system under the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), implicitly rejecting Trump’s “deal-or-tariff” approach.
The original BRICS bloc—formed in 2009—comprised Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining soon after. In 2024, the group expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Countdown to ‘take it or leave it’ tariff letters
Meanwhile, Trump’s announcement on BRICS came shortly after he revealed a key detail about his anticipated but mysterious ‘take it or leave it’ tariff letters, set to be out Monday, at at least 12 countries.
“I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting 12:00 P.M. (Eastern), Monday, July 7th,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The move formalizes Trump’s shift away from conventional trade talks, signaling a new phase in U.S. policy where key tariff terms are being unilaterally imposed rather than negotiated.
The letters follow what Trump previously described as “take it or leave it” propositions—an approach aimed at cutting through stalled discussions with U.S. trading partners.
