Trump Threatens 10% Tariff on Countries Supporting Brics’ ‘Anti-American Agenda’

Trump Threatens 10% Tariff on Nations Backing Brics ‘Anti-American’ Agenda.

In a sharp escalation of his protectionist rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned that any country aligning with the Brics bloc’s “anti-American policies” would be subject to an additional 10% tariff — without exceptions.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.

He did not specify which policies he deemed “anti-American,” nor did he clarify whether any specific countries were immediately in the line of fire.

Shortly after the warning, Trump announced that his administration would begin dispatching formal communications to individual countries, outlining new tariff rules and revised terms of trade. The first batch of letters was set to go out starting 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (9:30 p.m. IST) on 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 P.M. (Eastern), Monday, July 7th,” Trump wrote.

Brics Pushes Back
Trump’s remarks came hours after leaders of the expanded Brics grouping — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and recent additions including Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — released the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, a pointed critique of rising protectionism.

Without naming the U.S. or Trump, the declaration warned that “indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures” posed a threat to global trade, supply chains, and economic stability. It reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to a “rules-based, open, transparent, fair, inclusive and equitable multilateral trading system” with the WTO at its core.

Formed in 2009 and significantly expanded last year, the Brics grouping has grown more vocal in its pushback against Western-led trade norms and economic pressure.

What It Means for India
Trump’s tariff warning lands just as India and the U.S. approach the final stage of negotiations on a crucial trade agreement. According to Indian government sources, the deal has been fully negotiated, with no further rounds pending.

Indian negotiators have sought to protect key domestic sectors — including rice, dairy, wheat, and genetically modified crops — while offering concessions in areas aligned with labour-intensive manufacturing. Tariff reductions in sensitive areas like steel, aluminium, and automobiles are not expected to feature in the interim deal.

July 9 also marks the end of a 90-day suspension of elevated U.S. tariffs on several trading partners, including India. Unless an agreement is reached or the pause is extended, Indian exports could once again face an additional 26% import duty in the U.S. market.

While India remains officially part of the Brics bloc, it has sought to balance that affiliation with deepening economic ties with the West — a diplomatic tightrope that may now become harder to walk.