Trump threatens additional 10% tariff on nations backing 'anti-American' BRICS policies
Trump also said in a separate post that the US will send out "letters" on tariffs & deals to various countries beginning today
A file image of US president Donald Trump. (Photo:X)
New York/Washington, July 7: US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on countries aligning themselves with the "anti-American" policies of the BRICS grouping.
His comments came after the BRICS bloc condemned the increase of tariffs without naming Trump. Leaders of the BRICS are meeting in Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit on July 6-7.
"Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10 per cent Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday night.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025.
Trump also said in a separate post that the US will send out "letters" on tariffs and deals to various countries beginning Monday.
"I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting 12:00 PM (Eastern), Monday, July 7th. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J TRUMP, President of The United States of America," he said.
The steeper tariffs that Trump announced April 2 threatened to overhaul the global economy and lead to broader trade wars.
A week later, after the financial markets had panicked, his administration suspended for 90 days most of the higher taxes on imports just as they were to take effect.
The negotiating window until July 9 has led to announced deals only with the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Trump imposed elevated tariff rates on dozens of nations that run meaningful trade surpluses with the US, and a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries in response to what he called an economic emergency. There are separate 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum and a 25% tariff on autos.
Since April, few foreign governments have set new trade terms with Washington as the Republican president demanded.
PTI