Leaders of the BRICS nations voiced strong criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and recent joint Israeli-American military strikes on Iran during their summit on Sunday, escalating tensions between the emerging global bloc and Washington.
The BRICS alliance — now expanded to 11 members including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, and Saudi Arabia — expressed “serious concerns” over what they called the rise of “unilateral” and “indiscriminate” import tariffs, warning that such actions could significantly harm the global economy.
Though the joint statement avoided directly naming Trump, it left little doubt about the target. In a swift response posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump threatened further action, saying:
“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.”
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The U.S. President’s comments follow his earlier threats in April, where he imposed sweeping tariffs on imports from dozens of nations, before offering a brief pause in response to market backlash. The deadline for tariff negotiations is now set to expire on August 1, with Trump promising a return to full tariffs for those who fail to strike a deal.
BRICS Support for Iran
Beyond trade, BRICS members also extended symbolic support to fellow member Iran, condemning recent strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities allegedly conducted by Israel and the United States. While consensus on broader geopolitical issues like Gaza remains elusive within the bloc, member states agreed on backing Iran’s sovereignty and condemning foreign aggression.
Despite internal divisions — particularly between Iran and Saudi Arabia — the final summit declaration offered a surprisingly unified front on key issues. However, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister skipped the summit, reportedly due to diplomatic sensitivities and its close military ties with Washington.
