Donald Trump Claims US Tariffs Pushed Nations to Leave BRICS Bloc

U.S. President Donald Trump defended his aggressive tariff policies on Tuesday, asserting that threats of levies compelled BRICS member nations to abandon efforts to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar. Speaking during a White House meeting with Argentine Prime Minister Javier Milei, Trump described the BRICS bloc as a deliberate "attack on the dollar" and claimed his warnings led to widespread withdrawals. "I told anybody who wants to be in BRICS, That's fine, but we're going to put tariffs on your nation. Everybody dropped out. They're all dropping out of BRICS," Trump stated, adding that the group "doesn't even talk about it anymore." The remarks, captured in a viral ANI video, underscore Trump's long-standing use of tariffs as a geopolitical weapon amid escalating trade frictions with emerging economies.

The BRICS alliance—originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has grown significantly, incorporating Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates in recent expansions. Positioned as a counterweight to Western-led institutions, the bloc has explored de-dollarisation initiatives, such as local-currency trade settlements and the New Development Bank, to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar in global transactions. These moves, accelerated by post-2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict sanctions, have heightened U.S. concerns over eroding financial hegemony, with the dollar underpinning about 88% of international forex trades as of 2024. Trump's comments revive a 2024 threat of a 100% tariff on BRICS imports if they pursue a common currency, a policy he reiterated during his reelection campaign.

BRICS nations, major U.S. trading partners, have borne the brunt of Trump's protectionist measures. China faces ongoing Section 301 tariffs averaging 19% on $300 billion in goods, while India contends with 25% duties on steel and aluminium, impacting $10 billion in exports annually. Brazil and Russia have also seen retaliatory hikes, straining diplomatic ties. Despite this, the bloc's 2025 summit in Kazan, Russia, emphasised multilateralism without formal de-dollarisation announcements, focusing instead on infrastructure financing. Analysts note that while Trump's rhetoric amplifies pressure, actual exits remain unverified; no official withdrawals have been reported, though internal debates on currency diversification persist.

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India, a founding BRICS member and key U.S. ally, has distanced itself from anti-dollar posturing. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in March 2025, "We have no issue with the dollar... We have no interest in undermining the dollar," reflecting New Delhi's balanced approach amid $190 billion in bilateral trade with Washington. As the U.S. gears up for midterm elections, Trump's tariff bravado signals continuity in economic nationalism, potentially complicating global recovery efforts. The episode highlights the intersection of trade policy and currency geopolitics, with BRICS' resilience testing U.S. leverage in a multipolar world.

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