Brazilian President Lula da Silva responded to Donald Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs, asserting that the world rejects a leader who resorts to outbursts over the internet.
US President Donald Trump is considering raising tariffs for countries aligned with the BRICS economic bloc, following BRICS’ subtle criticism of trade conflicts and the recent military actions against Iran.
Trump emphasized that any country aligning with the anti-American policies of BRICS will face an additional 10% tariff, without exceptions. BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
The 17th BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, concluded with a declaration advocating for peace and global cooperation. However, certain points in the declaration seemed to target the US and its ally Israel, criticizing the increasing use of tariffs in global trade. The BRICS leaders argued that this could lead to reduced global trade, disrupted supply chains, and exacerbated economic disparities.
The declaration also denounced the recent military strikes on Iran, condemning them as a breach of international law and calling out the targeting of “peaceful nuclear facilities.” Israel and the US claim these actions were necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies.
Following Trump’s tariff threat, BRICS leaders reassured their US counterparts that they do not seek confrontation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for an appreciation of the rise of diverse global power centers, while Brazilian President Lula da Silva criticized Trump’s threats as irresponsible and un-serious, stating that the world has changed and does not want an “emperor.”
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/7/donald-trump-threatens-un-american-brics-countries-with-10-percent-tariff?traffic_source=rss
