President Donald J. Trump has threatened 10 to 15 countries with extra tariffs of 10 percent should they choose to ally themselves with the BRICS alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa against U.S. trade interests. President Trump announced the move on Truth Social on July 6.

“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,” President Trump wrote.

In a separate post, he stated that the United States would start delivering tariff letters to various countries beginning July 7. According to officials, countries are expected to negotiate trade deals by July 9, but tariffs are likely to start on August 1.

President Trump has long maintained that the BRICS bloc threatens American trade interests and the U.S. dollar’s status as the global reserve currency. In January, he threatened 100 percent tariffs on any country that participates in creating a BRICS currency to rival the dollar.

“We are going to require a commitment from these seemingly hostile Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy,” President Trump said at the time.

BRICS has expanded since its inception, with several other nations building ties with the group, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, and Iran. Considering their oil wealth, the Gulf States joining the alliance could be pivotal in creating an alternative reserve currency.

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