Trump defends tariffs, calls BRICS “an attack on the dollar”
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US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on BRICS nations, defending his decision to impose tariffs and accusing the group of undermining the US dollar.
Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Argentine Prime Minister Javier Milei at the White House. He praised Milei for his efforts to rebuild Argentina’s economy but issued a stern warning to BRICS countries, which include India, China, and Brazil, among other emerging economies.
Trump told reporters at the White House that he was very strong on the dollar and that anybody who wanted to deal in dollars had an advantage over those who did not. He added that anyone wanting to be in BRICS was free to do so, but the United States would impose tariffs on their nation, stating that BRICS had been an attack on the dollar.
He doubled down on his stance, calling the organisation “anti-United States.”
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, and in 2025 added Indonesia.
Earlier in July, Trump had warned that any country joining BRICS+ would face higher trade barriers. “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,” he wrote on social media.
At a time of shifting global trade dynamics, BRICS has emerged as one of Washington’s main rivals, home to major economic powers like China, Russia, India, and Brazil.
Unsurprisingly, India, China, and Russia remain the most affected by Trump’s tariffs. The renewed trade tensions between the US and China have also triggered significant fluctuations in the stock market.