On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump expressed strong criticism of the BRICS alliance, claiming that it was established with the intention of undermining the United States and diminishing the value of the US dollar. Speaking during the sixth Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump issued a stark warning to nations that are part of this coalition — they could soon face an additional 10% tariff on their imports to the United States. This statement highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and the BRICS countries, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

“And that's okay if they want to play that game, but I can play that game too,” Trump remarked, indicating his readiness to impose economic penalties on those in the BRICS grouping, which also notably includes India. He emphasized that the additional tariff would be implemented “pretty soon,” suggesting a swift course of action by his administration.

Trump further articulated, “Well, if they're a member of BRICS, they're gonna have to pay a 10% tariff. Just for that one thing.” This bold statement underlines his administration’s strategy of using tariffs as a tool to assert economic dominance and push back against what he perceives as challenges to US supremacy.

In his remarks, Trump expressed a belief that the BRICS alliance is “largely broken up,” suggesting that only a few countries remain firmly committed to it. He asserted that BRICS does not pose a serious threat to the US, framing the coalition as an ineffective group attempting to destabilize the dollar in favor of another nation's currency. “What they're trying to do is destroy the dollar so that another country can take over and be the standard,” Trump stated confidently, reinforcing his commitment to maintaining the dollar's status as the world's reserve currency.

He added, “If you have a smart president, you will never lose the standard,” highlighting his perspective on the importance of strong leadership in international economics. Trump further elaborated on the potential consequences of losing the dollar's global standing, likening it to a significant defeat in war. “If we lost the world standard dollar, that would be like losing a war, a major world war; we would not be the same country any longer,” he warned, asserting that such a scenario is unacceptable and that his administration would not allow it to happen. “Dollar is king, we're going to keep it that way,” he concluded, reiterating his dedication to preserving the dollar's dominance.

In a final note, Trump conveyed a clear message to nations considering a challenge to the US economic order, stating, “If people want to challenge it, they can, but they're going to have to pay a big price, and I don't think any of them are willing to pay that price.” His remarks reflect a broader strategy of economic nationalism that has characterized his administration's approach to international relations.