Trump Claims 150% Tariff Threat Led to BRICS’ Collapse

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that his threat to impose a 150% tariff on BRICS nations has caused the economic bloc to collapse. Trump, who has repeatedly accused BRICS of trying to undermine the U.S. dollar, reaffirmed his stance that he would cut trade ties with the bloc’s members if they continued pursuing a common currency.

Since winning his second presidential term in November last year, Trump has consistently issued warnings against BRICS. He argued that their efforts to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar in bilateral trade pose a direct challenge to its global dominance.

"When I took office, the first thing I said was that any BRICS country even mentioning the destruction of the dollar would face a 150% tariff... And now BRICS is gone. We haven’t heard from them in a while," Trump said in a recent statement quoted by RT.

Trump further claimed that his predecessor, Joe Biden, also saw BRICS as a threat but failed to take decisive action. However, according to Trump, a single threat from him was enough to turn the tide.

U.S.-BRICS Tensions Rise Amid De-Dollarization Efforts

BRICS, now comprising ten member nations and accounting for approximately 36% of global GDP, has intensified its efforts to reduce reliance on Western currencies in recent years. This move was further accelerated after Western sanctions isolated Russia from the global financial system following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

While there has been speculation about BRICS creating a joint currency, most members have denied any formal discussions on the matter. Instead, they have expanded the use of their national currencies to facilitate trade and safeguard their economic interests.

BRICS nations, including Russia, argue that the U.S. itself is weakening the dollar by using it as a political tool through sanctions. Currently, BRICS members are attending the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in South Africa on February 20-21.

Ahead of the summit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that G20 should serve as a platform for BRICS and the Global South to challenge the West’s unilateral approach and promote fairer cooperation.

Meanwhile, the U.S. opted to skip the meeting, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing South Africa of engaging in “dangerous” actions by promoting solidarity and equality within the G20.

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