WASHINGTON D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), threatening a 100% tariff on all imports into the U.S. if they attempt to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
Speaking at a recent event, Trump dismissed BRICS as a weak economic bloc and claimed that its members fear repercussions from the U.S. if they move away from the dollar.
“BRICS was formed for the wrong reasons, and most of its members don’t even want it anymore,” Trump said. “They’re scared to talk about it now because I’ve made it clear—if they mess with the dollar, they’ll face a 100% tariff.”
Trump’s Hardline Stance on BRICS
Trump argued that the U.S. holds more power over BRICS than vice versa and warned of a complete trade shutdown if they pursued alternative financial systems.
“We have the upper hand, not them. If BRICS wants to play games, we simply won’t trade with them. Any imports from those countries will be taxed at 100% or more,” he stated.
BRICS nations have been actively exploring de-dollarization—a strategy to use local currencies for trade instead of relying on the U.S. dollar. Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the 2023 BRICS Summit, pushed for increased financial transactions in national currencies, aiming to build a multipolar financial system.
Trump, known for his protectionist trade policies, sees this as a direct challenge to American economic supremacy. He emphasized that any attempt to create a new currency or support an alternative to the dollar would result in severe economic consequences.
“The idea that BRICS will move away from the Dollar while we do nothing—it’s OVER,” Trump posted on his social media platform.
India Yet to Respond
While Trump’s remarks have heightened global trade tensions, India, a key BRICS member and a close U.S. economic ally, has not yet responded to his statements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on the issue remains unclear, adding to speculation about how India will navigate this growing conflict.
As the global economic landscape shifts, Trump’s threats could reshape trade relations and fuel further uncertainty in international markets. Whether BRICS nations will bow to U.S. pressure or accelerate their efforts to reduce reliance on the dollar remains to be seen.
