Trump’s hostile rhetoric against BRICS signals Washington’s growing insecurity on global stage

Department of Research, Studies and International News 08-07-2025

In a fresh display of aggression that underscores Washington’s deteriorating global standing, former U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at the BRICS alliance, an emerging coalition of major developing nations, by threatening to impose an additional 10% tariff on countries he claimed were aligning with “anti-American” policies.

The former president’s comments, made via social media, came shortly after the conclusion of the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Trump’s statement read: “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.”

This latest threat is a continuation of Trump’s trademark economic nationalism and protectionism, under the banner of the “America First” ideology. While he views tariffs as tools of leverage, widely celebrated among his base, global leaders and economists have long criticized such measures for distorting international trade and damaging global economic stability. Ironically, such policies have consistently led to higher consumer costs inside the United States itself, an outcome often brushed aside in Trump’s populist rhetoric.

BRICS, initially founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded in recent years to include nations like Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates. With its focus on rebalancing global power away from Western-dominated institutions, the bloc has grown both in influence and cohesion. Its latest summit emphasized commitments to multilateral cooperation, peace, and more equitable global governance, principles often undermined by unilateral American military and economic actions.

In a joint declaration issued after the summit, the BRICS members expressed strong concern over what they described as “unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures” that are inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Without naming the United States directly, the bloc condemned practices that have come to define U.S. economic policy under Trump, warning that such actions “reduce global trade, disrupt supply chains, and exacerbate global inequalities.”

Perhaps more pointedly, the BRICS leaders denounced the military aggression recently launched against Iran, a new member of the alliance. “We condemn the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since 13 June 2025, which constitute a violation of international law,” the statement read. The strikes referenced include an Israeli-led attack on June 13, followed by a U.S. escalation nine days later when seven stealth bombers targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. Tehran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear program is peaceful, while Washington and Tel Aviv continue to peddle the narrative of a “nuclear threat” to justify their actions.

In reality, these attacks represent a blatant attempt to undermine a sovereign nation’s development and regional influence, particularly one that refuses to submit to U.S. hegemony. The coordinated strikes on Iran, along with Washington’s economic threats against BRICS, reflect an old pattern: when the U.S. cannot dominate through diplomacy or economic supremacy, it resorts to coercion and militarization.

Despite Trump’s threats, BRICS leaders remain committed to dialogue and multilateralism. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of recognizing the multipolar world order that is taking shape. “There needs to be greater appreciation of the emergence of various centres of power in the world,” Ramaphosa stated. “And this should be seen in a positive light.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded with sharper language, highlighting the absurdity of Trump’s social media diplomacy. “I don’t think it’s very responsible or serious for the president of a country as big as the United States to go around threatening the world through the internet,” Lula said. “The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor.”

Indeed, Lula’s words resonate across a growing portion of the international community. The era of unilateral American dominance is coming to an end. As BRICS continues to expand, both in size and in influence, it presents a compelling alternative to the exploitative models pushed by Washington and its allies.

Trump’s threats, far from intimidating the BRICS nations, only highlight the deepening desperation of a declining superpower. With each blustered tweet and reckless policy threat, the U.S. reveals its dwindling relevance in a world steadily moving toward a more balanced, multipolar order, led not by imperialist doctrine, but by cooperation, sovereignty, and mutual respect.