U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to nations aligning with the BRICS group, announcing a new round of tariffs that could reshape global trade.
The move, revealed in a Sunday post on Truth Social, comes just days before a major trade policy deadline.
Trump stated that beginning Monday, the U.S. would send tariff notices to multiple countries backing what he described as “anti-American policies” of the BRICS bloc.
While not naming specific policies, he threatened a 10% base tariff on affected nations, with rates possibly going up to 70%.
“Most countries will get deals or tariff letters by July 9,” Trump noted, while referencing new trade arrangements with the UK, Vietnam, and China.
The warning follows the expiration of the administration’s 90-day tariff pause, scheduled to end this Wednesday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said approximately 100 countries would receive notices, with smaller nations being the initial targets.
The base rate of 10% would apply broadly, while key partners may be spared the heaviest penalties.
“This isn’t a bluff. We are locking in a base rate and sending a clear message,” Bessent told reporters on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that the tariffs will officially kick in on August 1, emphasizing that the administration is applying “maximum pressure” to protect American interests.
The BRICS alliance, originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently grown to include Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE, with other potential entrants like Nigeria and Thailand being considered.
The group has been openly critical of Western-led financial structures and supports a
multipolar world order.
At its recent summit in Brazil, BRICS members condemned global military aggression and criticized “unilateral tariff measures”, a clear jab at the U.S.
China’s Foreign Ministry reacted to Trump’s remarks, defending BRICS as a cooperative effort and warning against trade escalation.
“Arbitrarily increasing tariffs does not serve the interests of any party,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry.
The warning not only affects smaller economies but also signals a changing tide in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s leadership.
The U.S will use anything to become veto world power