Trump Reasserts 10% Tariff Threat on BRICS Nations, Says August 1 Deadline Stands Firm.
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a strong warning to BRICS nations, asserting that all member countries will be subject to a 10% tariff starting August 1, 2025. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump alleged that the BRICS bloc was designed to weaken the U.S. dollar and undermine American economic dominance.
“They will certainly have to pay 10% if they are in BRICS,” Trump said. “Because BRICS was set up to hurt us, to degenerate our dollar.”
The BRICS group—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newer additions—represents nearly 40% of global GDP and about half of the world’s population. Several BRICS members have criticized Trump’s tariff-first policies, calling them inconsistent with global trade norms and the World Trade Organization’s framework.
No Exceptions, Even for India
Responding to a question on whether India, a close U.S. partner and BRICS member, might be exempted, Trump clarified there would be no special treatment. “They are members of BRICS; they can pay 10% tariff,” he stated, doubling down on his stance.
He added, “I said this about a year ago and it largely broke up. We are not going to lose the [dollar] standard at any time. If you have a smart President, you will never lose the standard.”
August 1 Tariff Deadline: ‘No Extensions’
In a post on Truth Social, Trump reaffirmed the August 1 deadline for the new tariff regime, stressing that there would be “no change” and “no extensions.”
“Tariffs will start being paid on August 1, 2025,” Trump wrote. “All money will be due and payable starting that date. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
He also confirmed that letters had already been sent to 14 countries, with more notifications to follow.
Allegation of Currency War
Trump accused BRICS countries of challenging the supremacy of the U.S. dollar. “The dollar is king, and we’re going to keep it that way. If people want to challenge it, they can—but they’ll have to pay a big price. And I don’t think they’re willing to pay that price,” he said.
Trade Negotiations Still Open
Despite the firm rhetoric, Trump hinted at flexibility. “I would say firm, but not 100 percent firm,” he said when asked if the August 1 date was final. “If they call up and say they’d like to do something in a different way, we will be open to that.”
He emphasized that fairness was at the core of the tariff initiative:
“Pretty much, they have had their way for many decades. This is not about punishment, it’s about fairness.”
U.S.-India Trade Talks Ongoing
Trump’s comments come as Washington and New Delhi near a bilateral trade agreement. A high-level meeting is expected either in Washington later this month or during Trump’s upcoming visit to India in the fall. An interim “mini deal” is likely to exclude sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy.
The U.S. is pushing for lower duties on agricultural products, medical devices, and industrial goods, while India is seeking better access for labor-intensive exports such as textiles and garments. The long-term goal is to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
Looking Ahead to a Second Term
Trump touted his previous term’s economic performance and promised even greater results in a potential second term. “We took in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs [in my first term]—no inflation, just growth,” he said. “This time, it’s going to be even better. We’ve already taken in over $100 billion in tariffs and we haven’t even started.”
He added that while some nations were open to renegotiating, others had gotten “spoilt” by past U.S. administrations:
“If you have a stupid President like last time, you lose the [dollar] standard. That’s like losing a world war. We can’t let that happen.”
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