U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an extra 10% tariff on any country aligning with the BRICS group, calling their actions “Anti-American.” The warning came just hours after BRICS leaders kicked off their annual summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Trump posted the statement on Truth Social, saying there would be no exceptions to the new tariff rule.
The BRICS summit, hosted by Brazil, has brought together leaders from major developing nations who are calling for a more balanced global order. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opened the summit by comparing BRICS to the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement. He stressed the need for multilateral cooperation in a world increasingly dominated by conflict and protectionism.
In a joint statement, BRICS leaders warned that rising tariffs could damage global trade, indirectly criticizing Trump’s aggressive economic policies. The group now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and six new members, including Iran and the UAE. With more than half of the world’s population, BRICS now represents about 40% of global economic output.
Despite their growing influence, the group faces internal challenges due to differing regional priorities. While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended in person, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a representative, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin joined virtually due to international legal restrictions. Still, the summit proceeded with key discussions on trade, global governance, and technology.
Trump’s threats come as his administration races to finalize multiple trade deals before a self-imposed July 9 deadline for new retaliatory tariffs. He did not clarify what qualifies as “Anti-American policies,” but his comments appear aimed at discouraging countries from deepening ties with BRICS. India and other invited nations have yet to officially respond.
Meanwhile, Brazil used the summit to spotlight environmental leadership ahead of hosting the UN climate summit later this year. China and the UAE have signaled plans to invest in a new conservation fund for tropical forests. As BRICS pushes for global reform and climate cooperation, Trump’s stance signals a widening rift between the Global South and U.S. leadership.