Trump: "If countries support BRICS' anti-US policy, an additional 10% tariff will be imposed"

BRICS has been working to establish an alternative third-currency payment system to the dollar

Demands for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and criticism of US tariffs

US President Donald Trump warned that any country supporting the anti-US policy of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) would face an additional 10% tariff, once again sparking tariff-related concerns in the financial markets.

President Trump stated late at night on the 6th (US Eastern Time) via a Truth Social post, "Countries that align with the anti-US policy of BRICS will face an additional 10% tariff." He also wrote that there would be no exceptions to this rule.

Following this statement, US stock index futures declined, with S&P 500 futures dropping 0.4% and NASDAQ futures down 0.6%, while the dollar gained 0.2%. Gold prices fell by 0.7% and the yuan weakened. European stock index futures were flat.

This remark came as the US's 90-day tariff hike deferral was set to expire on Wednesday. President Trump previously stated that he would send tariff notices to dozens of countries in the coming days and, in a separate post, announced that the notices would be sent starting noon Monday, Washington time (1 a.m. KST on the 8th).

The BRICS countries—including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—held a summit in Brazil over the weekend. In a joint statement, the leaders criticized President Trump's tariff policy, expressing "grave concern over the increase of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and violate WTO regulations." Attendees included Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In his post, President Trump did not specify what constitutes an anti-US policy or when the tariffs would be imposed.

In a statement released Sunday, BRICS leaders condemned the US and Israel's attack on Iran and called on the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw armed forces from the Gaza Strip. Iran is a member of BRICS.

The bloc, consisting of 10 emerging market countries, also expressed "grave concern over the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories," citing Israel's attacks and the obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza. They also demanded a permanent, unconditional ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

President Trump previously threatened to impose a 100% tariff if BRICS countries stopped using the US dollar in bilateral trade.

BRICS leaders have long discussed building a cross-border payment system to diversify the current dollar-centric transaction system in trade and international settlements. However, despite a decade of discussion, progress has been slow.

Byline: Jeongah Kim, Contributing Reporter, kja@hankyung.com