U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to countries aligning themselves with BRICS, threatening an additional 10% tariff on any nation that supports what he labeled “Anti-American policies.” The statement, made on his Truth Social account late Sunday night, adds a new layer of uncertainty to already tense global trade negotiations as the expiration of a 90-day U.S. tariff pause looms.
“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff,” Trump wrote. “There will be no exceptions to this policy.” He did not elaborate on which BRICS actions or statements were deemed “Anti-American,” nor did he clarify when the new tariffs would take effect.
The warning follows a weekend BRICS summit where leaders from Brazil, China, South Africa, and India sharply criticized U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran and Gaza. The bloc called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and urged a “just and lasting” resolution to conflicts across the Middle East. High-profile attendees included Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Trump’s latest post comes just as the U.S. prepares to dispatch tariff letters to dozens of countries. The 90-day grace period on increased import duties is set to end Wednesday, and Trump said those letters would begin going out at noon Monday, Washington time.
Though no countries were named specifically in the tariff threat, Trump has previously expressed hostility toward BRICS initiatives—especially those aimed at reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade. He has floated the possibility of 100% tariffs on countries abandoning the greenback, claiming such actions directly undermine American economic interests.
The BRICS summit also renewed efforts to develop a shared cross-border payment system to facilitate trade and investment among member nations—a plan that has seen little progress over the past decade but is gaining urgency amid growing geopolitical divides.
Chinese Premier Li emphasized the group’s role in shaping a more balanced global order, stating that “today’s world is more turbulent, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise.” He added that China would work with BRICS partners to promote reforms in global governance that are more just, reasonable, and efficient.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to requests for comment on Trump’s remarks, which come at a time when protectionist policies are once again reshaping the international economic landscape. With Washington poised to ramp up its tariff offensive, Trump’s statements may spark fresh diplomatic friction and ripple effects across global markets.