Donald Trump boasts of dismantling the BRICS alliance by threatening tariffs, calling the bloc “an attack on the dollar” and “anti-US.”
In a bold declaration that shook the global economic stage, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed credit for crippling the ambitions of the BRICS alliance — a bloc he branded as “an attack on the dollar” and a direct challenge to American power.
Speaking alongside Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House, Trump revealed that he warned world leaders about the consequences of joining BRICS — the economic coalition led by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. “I told anybody who wants to be in BRICS, that’s fine, but we’re going to put tariffs on your nation,” Trump said. “Everybody dropped out. They’re all dropping out of BRICS. It was an attack on the dollar — and I stopped it.”
Trump asserted that his aggressive stance forced countries to abandon the alliance. “They said, ‘We’re dropping out of BRICS.’ They don’t even talk about it anymore,” he added triumphantly.
The comments come as the U.S. tightens its economic grip amid rising competition from alternative trade blocs. Trump, who has long used tariffs as his geopolitical weapon of choice, portrayed the move as a strategic victory for the dollar, American industry, and Western influence. “You want to play that game? I’ll put tariffs on every product entering the U.S.,” he warned — a message that reverberated through world capitals.
Trump doubled down on his tariffs against BRICS nations, singling out India, which he accused of “walking a fine line” between Washington and Moscow. He branded the grouping “anti-United States,” threatening an additional 10% tariff on any nation aligning with its policies.
India Treads Carefully Amid U.S. Pressure
India, meanwhile, has opted for restraint. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified, “Regarding the role of the dollar, we are realistic. We have no issue with the dollar. We have no interest in undermining it.”
While Jaishankar’s remarks were made in March 2025 — before tensions escalated — relations have since soured. Washington imposed heavy duties on Indian exports over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, testing one of the world’s most vital trade partnerships.
Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE — and welcomed Indonesia in 2025. Yet, under Trump’s economic onslaught, its momentum now faces serious headwinds.
The message from Washington is clear: the dollar remains untouchable, and any challenge to U.S. dominance will be met with economic firepower.
