Trump Threatens Extra Tariffs On Nations Aligning With BRICS; China Warns Against Trade Coercion

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on any country aligning itself with the “Anti-American policies of BRICS,” escalating tensions as the bloc’s summit unfolds in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “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 Trump did not elaborate on which specific BRICS policies he considers anti-American, his remarks come amid a BRICS summit where member nations have expressed concern over unilateral trade practices.

In a joint statement on Sunday (6 July), BRICS leaders criticised “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs.”

Without directly naming the US, the bloc’s statement voiced “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules,” cautioning that the “proliferation of trade-restrictive actions” could damage the global economy and exacerbate existing inequalities.

Responding firmly, China’s foreign ministry released a statement asserting, “The use of tariffs serves no one,” reiterating Beijing’s opposition to tariffs as instruments of political pressure. “We oppose tariffs being used as a tool to coerce others,” it added.

The timing of Trump’s threat coincides with India’s endorsement of the BRICS declaration critical of US-led tariff regimes. His comments indicate the potential for renewed aggressive trade measures.

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