U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose an additional 10% tariff on BRICS—a bloc of developing nations that voiced opposition to America’s unilateral policies—has once again sparked concern in global political and economic spheres. Disregarding World Trade Organization rules, the United States has been moving forward by arbitrarily imposing import tariffs and adopting other discriminatory measures. In response, the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—issued a joint declaration on Sunday at their summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, criticising the U.S. stance. The statement, endorsed by 10 member nations including India, was immediately followed by Trump’s warning of a 10% surcharge against “countries taking an anti-American stand". Without directly naming the United States, the BRICS summit declaration stated that imposing unilateral coercive measures on other countries amounts to a violation of international law. It also called for an end to actions such as unilateral economic sanctions, which disrupt the global economy. President Trump responded with a sneer, posting his decision on X with a hint of ridicule. Earlier this year, after discussions emerged about seeking alternatives to the U.S. dollar, Trump had threatened BRICS nations with a 100 percent import tariff. His latest move comes as an open proclamation that he will not allow anyone to challenge the United States.
BRICS is a continuation of the erstwhile non-aligned movement, and its emphasis is on peace-focused international development, stated the host country’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at the summit. He stated that the American tendency to spend more on war needs than on development was deeply concerning. The world is witnessing the unparalleled collapse of multilateral political order, he said, and warned that if the international governance system fails to recognise the multipolar reality of the 21st century, BRICS will take the lead. Even as he condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Lula also strongly denounced the acts of genocide committed by Israel. He stated that the indiscriminate killing of innocents and the use of starvation as a weapon of war are actions that cannot be ignored. The BRICS alliance condemned the U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran. It was after this that Trump, branding BRICS—which includes countries like Iran—as anti-American, announced the additional tariff measure.
The import tariff announced on April 2 had shaken international markets and triggered widespread criticism, following which the decision was postponed for three months. With the latest announcement, there is still confusion about when the decision will come into effect. While Trump has stated that letters informing the new tariff rates will be issued on the 9th of this month, the Commerce Secretary has announced that the new rates will come into force on August 1. Similarly, what would come of the sudden announcement of the 10% additional tax, apparently as a “swift response,” also remains unclear. Trump’s announcement has drawn criticism from countries including Japan and China. China accused the United States of using tariffs as a tool to coerce nations. Japan’s opposition has been pressuring the government to expand trade towards markets outside the United States.
Trump’s latest statement has also heightened India’s anxiety. India is an institutional partner within BRICS. As of now, there is no clarity on the outcome of the ongoing discussions between the United States and India on this issue. India’s tariff rate has already been increased from the earlier 10% to 26%. New Delhi is now concerned whether the additional 10% announced on Sunday will also be applied to India. At the Rio summit, without directly naming the United States or other global powers pushing the Global South into distress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a sharp criticism. While the central government continues to praise its friendship with the U.S., Trump has not shown any willingness to compromise on tariffs so far. It’s not just India—no country in the world seems to matter to Trump. There’s no certainty that even America’s own interests are truly his concern. The recent attack and subsequent withdrawal targeting Iran is a case in point. The United States has long since been wearing the gown of world's police. with hegemony over the world. And with someone like Trump, driven purely by self-will, at the helm—who knows what further disasters await the world, other than Trump himself?