Donald Trump has said he will add a 10% tax on goods from any country that supports BRICS policies he believes go against the United States. He posted this message on Truth Social, saying the rule will apply to all countries with no exceptions.
This warning comes at a key time. The current pause on raising tariffs ends on Wednesday, 9 July 2025. Trump also said that tariff letters will be sent to many countries starting Monday at noon (Washington time). Countries that do not make a deal with the US soon could face new taxes on their exports.
BRICS Criticises US and Israel
The BRICS group – which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – held a meeting in Brazil last weekend. During the meeting, leaders spoke against US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Gaza. They asked Israel to leave Gaza and called for a permanent ceasefire.
This message from BRICS seems to have upset Trump. Experts believe that his threat is aimed at warning other countries not to follow the BRICS path.
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What Happens Next?
Trump did not say exactly what counts as “anti-American” policies. This has made many countries confused about what will trigger the new tariff. Some are trying to make trade deals with the US before the deadline.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that some countries may get 3 extra weeks to talk. If they do not reach a deal in time, the extra 10% tariffs will begin on 1 August 2025.
Important Dates to Remember
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 7 July 2025 | BRICS meeting ends |
| 8 July 2025 | US starts sending tariff letters |
| 9 July 2025 | Deadline for current tariff pause |
| 1 August 2025 | New tariffs could begin |
BRICS Wants Dollar-Free Trading
BRICS leaders also said they want to trade more in their own local currencies and depend less on the US dollar. They have been talking about this for many years, but now they want to move faster. They are planning a new payment system for use between BRICS countries.
China’s Premier Li Qiang said the world is becoming more difficult and unfair. He said BRICS should work together to solve problems peacefully. China and India have not responded to Trump’s new message.
What This Means for South Africa
South Africa is part of BRICS, but it also trades a lot with the United States. This puts the country in a tough spot. If Trump’s new tariffs go ahead, South African businesses could lose money.
The South African government has not yet said anything about Trump’s warning. But trade experts say they must think carefully before choosing sides.
Hi, I’m Amandeep Singh, a content writer at Ramnath Intercollage. I share updates on jobs, internships, and scholarships across South Africa using official and trusted sources. My aim is to make every post easy to read and helpful for anyone looking to apply.
