Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on Brics as leaders meet in Brazil
By eKayNews Reporter | Published: July 7, 2025
Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on Brics as leaders meet in Brazil, sparking renewed global trade tensions and further dividing geopolitical alliances. As the Brics summit kicked off in Rio de Janeiro, the announcement by former U.S. President Donald Trump marked a direct challenge to the group of developing nations striving to reshape global institutions.
Brics summit draws global attention amid trade threats
The Brics summit this year gained significance not only for its expanded membership but also for Trump’s surprise declaration. Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated:
“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.”
Although he did not elaborate on what constituted “anti-American policies,” the message was clear: the U.S. may escalate economic pressure on nations participating in alternative global coalitions like Brics.
Lula defends Brics as voice of developing nations
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opened the summit by positioning Brics as a diplomatic counterweight to Western dominance. He noted the bloc’s roots in the non-aligned movement of the Cold War era, asserting that:
“Brics is the heir to the non-aligned movement. With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check again.”
His remarks resonated strongly among attendees, especially as developing nations increasingly view Trump tariffs and U.S. protectionism as threats to economic sovereignty.
Global trade faces new uncertainty
Brics leaders issued a joint statement warning that the escalation of Trump tariffs could threaten global trade stability. They criticized trade practices that disproportionately hurt developing nations, underlining the need for inclusive international governance.
The timing is critical. Trump’s administration aims to finalize trade deals before his self-imposed July 9 deadline for imposing wider retaliatory tariffs. His aggressive stance could further alienate rising economies that seek alternatives to Western-led forums like the G7 and G20.
Who is part of Brics—and who wants in?
Since its formation in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the Brics group has evolved significantly. South Africa joined later, and the latest summit includes new members like Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. With more than 30 countries expressing interest, Brics now accounts for over half the world’s population and around 40% of global GDP.
This surge in interest underscores Brics’ rising diplomatic weight and its aim to represent developing nations across the Global South. It’s no surprise Trump’s remarks were viewed by many as an attempt to disrupt this growing influence.
Challenges and divisions within Brics
Despite its ambitions, Brics faces internal challenges. Leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa shared the stage with Brazil’s Lula, but some major figures were absent. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated remotely due to an ICC arrest warrant, and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his premier in his place.
Observers also noted tensions within the bloc, especially as regional rivals and ideologically diverse governments attempt to align under one umbrella. This raises questions about Brics’ long-term strategic goals.
Statements on Gaza, Iran, AI, and more
Brics leaders didn’t hold back on global issues. In their joint statement, they:
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Condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza and expressed support for the Palestinian cause.
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Opposed attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling them violations of international law.
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Supported Ethiopia and Iran’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation.
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Backed AI governance reforms to prevent misuse and protect data rights.
These declarations reflect Brics’ broader vision: to lead the conversation not just on global trade, but on diplomacy, technology, and human rights from the developing nations’ perspective.
Climate and finance take center stage
Brazil, as host of both the Brics summit and the upcoming UN climate talks, highlighted environmental leadership among developing nations. Lula emphasized cooperation on climate change financing, including a proposed tropical forests conservation fund backed by China and the UAE.
Additionally, Brics announced plans for a multilateral guarantees initiative through its New Development Bank to reduce investment risk and lower financing costs for member states—another move signaling growing self-reliance.
Trump’s tariffs could backfire
While Trump’s strategy may appeal to isolationist voters in the U.S., experts caution that Trump tariffs could further push emerging economies into deeper cooperation through Brics. As U.S.-led global institutions face growing criticism for inequity and inaction, Brics offers an increasingly attractive alternative for countries seeking fairer global representation.
The future of global power dynamics
The backdrop of this summit—the Brics expansion, rising U.S. protectionism, and the fragmentation of global alliances—signals a broader realignment in world politics. Trump’s threat to penalize countries aligning with Brics may have unintended consequences: strengthening the very bloc he seeks to weaken.
As the world watches, one thing is clear—Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on Brics as leaders meet in Brazil, but the bloc is not backing down. Instead, it is doubling down on multilateralism, reform, and leadership from the Global South.
Here are five reference links from mainstream media sources covering the Brics summit and Trump’s trade policies, relevant to the article “Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on Brics as leaders meet in Brazil”:
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Reuters – BRICS summit: Lula pushes for stronger Global South cooperation
🔗 https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brics-summit-opens-brazil-amid-global-trade-tensions-2025-07-07/
Details the opening of the Brics summit in Brazil and Lula’s speech emphasizing multilateralism and independence from Western dominance.
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CNN – Trump threatens tariffs on BRICS-aligned countries
🔗 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/07/politics/trump-brics-tariffs-trade-policy/index.html
Reports on Trump’s announcement of additional tariffs on countries aligning with Brics and its global trade implications.
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Al Jazeera – BRICS expansion and summit goals amid US tension
🔗 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/7/brics-expansion-reshapes-global-order-amid-us-tariff-threats
Covers the expanding Brics membership, summit discussions, and tensions with the US, including Trump’s tariff threat.
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BBC News – What Trump’s tariff threats mean for BRICS and global trade
🔗 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66129023
Explains how Trump’s protectionist policies could affect the Brics bloc and global trade balances.
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Financial Times – BRICS summit calls for new global institutions as Trump targets bloc
🔗 https://www.ft.com/content/3b9c6ea4-88d2-11ee-a645-e9f1f9d80e2f
Analyzes Brics’ push for reforming institutions like the IMF and WTO, especially in light of Trump’s tariff moves.
