Trump Targets BRICS Allies with New 10% Tariff Threat

At the BRICS summit in Rio, former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines by threatening to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country that aligns with what he called “anti‑American policies,” particularly targeting nations within the BRICS bloc. The surprising declaration came amid growing concerns that the U.S. is prepared to weaponize trade duties as a geopolitical tool. It wasn’t just rhetoric—Trump’s statement put officials from Brazil, China, India, and South Africa on high alert. Although the final list of affected countries is still fluid, this move marks a significant escalation in Washington’s trade-first diplomatic playbook, coming just days before the July 9 deadline for tariff agreements.

The ripple effect is immediate and intricate. Nations now face a delicate balancing act: deepen geopolitical ties with the BRICS bloc and risk U.S. tariffs, or pivot back to the U.S. orbit with economic protections in hand. More worryingly, this could fracture supply chains that span both Western and emerging markets. Export-heavy sectors such as metals, energy, and agriculture may see volatile order books as contracts are renegotiated around potential duties. Ultimately, Trump’s tariff ultimatum signals a broader global fracture—where allegiance could soon be measured not just in votes but in tariff lines.