Trump threatens 10% tariff on BRICS nations, calls bloc a threat to U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a 10% tariff on all BRICS member countries, claiming the bloc was "set up to hurt" the United States by undermining the dollar.

“Anybody that's in BRICS is getting a 10% charge,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “They have to pay 10% if they're in BRICS because BRICS was set up to degenerate our dollar and take it off as the standard. If they want to play that game, I can play that game too.”

He suggested BRICS members would face extra trade costs just for being part of the group. “They won’t be a member alone,” he said.

Trump also signalled a major escalation in tariffs on other sectors:

Pharmaceuticals: Up to 200% tariffs on imports, which he said could come “very soon” but would allow a phase-in period of up to 18 months.

Copper: A 50% tariff would be imposed, though no implementation date was given.

Turning to Europe, Trump claimed the EU had softened its approach under pressure: “They treated us very badly until recently. Now they’re treating us very nicely.” He said a letter was being prepared that “means a deal” could be close.

He also renewed criticism of South Korea, calling the longstanding U.S. troop presence there a “tremendous loss” and demanding Seoul pay $10 billion annually. “They went crazy, but they agreed,” Trump claimed, referencing 45,000 U.S. troops stationed there.

The comments mark Trump’s sharpest trade threats since returning to office and come amid rising tensions over global supply chains, currency policies, and multipolar alliances like BRICS.

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