Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on BRICS If They Challenge US Dollar

Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on BRICS If They Challenge US Dollar

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to impose 100% import tariffs on goods from BRICS member states if they attempt to establish a new currency or move away from the U.S. dollar in international trade.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared:

“We are going to require a commitment from these seemingly hostile countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency nor back any other currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar, or they will face 100% tariffs.

Trump further emphasized that the era of allowing BRICS to explore alternatives to the dollar is “OVER,” warning that any country attempting such a move should “say hello to tariffs and goodbye to America.”

BRICS Response & Global Reactions

The BRICS group—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Ethiopia—has been exploring ways to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar, particularly in response to U.S. sanctions and financial policies.

Following Trump’s latest remarks:

• Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar clarified that India has never supported de-dollarization.
• Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov responded that BRICS is not abandoning the dollar but rather adjusting to Washington’s “mistaken policies.”

BRICS Expansion & Currency Debate

The expansion of BRICS in 2024, along with discussions about alternative payment systems, has drawn increasing attention. At the Kazan Summit in October 2024, BRICS leaders announced a new category of partner countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is still weighing its invitation to join BRICS, and Indonesia was recently upgraded to full member status.