US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp warning to the <a title="BRICS" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/geo-politics/brics-fires-back-at-trump-s-tariff-ultimatum/15931" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRICS</a> bloc, describing its efforts to reduce dependence on the US dollar as an &ldquo;attack&rdquo; on America&rsquo;s financial power. Speaking during a bilateral lunch with Argentine President Javier Milei on Tuesday, Trump said nations aligning with BRICS risk facing tariffs and economic retaliation from Washington.
Responding to a question on the strength of the US dollar, Trump said that &ldquo;anybody who wants to deal in the dollar is at a greater advantage than those who do not.&rdquo; He asserted that the dollar&rsquo;s global dominance would have declined had he not returned to power following the 2024 presidential election.
ALSO READ: https://www.benefitnews24.com/opinion/trump-threatens-100--tariffs-on-brics-members/2428
Citing BRICS&mdash;which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa&mdash;Trump said he had made his position clear to countries seeking membership. &ldquo;I told anybody who wants to be in BRICS, that&rsquo;s fine, but we&rsquo;re going to put tariffs on your nation. Everybody dropped out. They&rsquo;re all dropping out of BRICS,&rdquo; he told reporters.
The President went on to claim that his threat had already caused nations to reconsider their involvement. &ldquo;BRICS was an attack on the dollar, and I said, you want to play that game, I&rsquo;m going to put tariffs on all your products coming into the US. They said, we&rsquo;re dropping out of BRICS&hellip; They don&rsquo;t even talk about it anymore,&rdquo; Trump added.
The BRICS alliance, established in 2009 with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded to include South Africa in 2010. More recently, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, Iran, and Indonesia have joined the bloc. The group&rsquo;s economic discussions have centred on reducing reliance on the US dollar in international trade, with proposals for a shared BRICS currency gaining traction among member states.
While Trump&rsquo;s remarks signal a renewed assertiveness in defending American financial supremacy, analysts suggest his comments could further strain relations with key emerging economies&mdash;particularly India, which has sought to balance ties between Washington and BRICS.
As the debate over global currency realignment intensifies, Trump&rsquo;s latest warning underscores his administration&rsquo;s intent to protect the dollar&rsquo;s hegemony through aggressive trade and economic measures.

Trump addresses reporters on BRICS threat

US President warns BRICS members of tariffs for challenging dollar dominance

Trump Calls BRICS an ‘Attack’ on US Dollar

US President warns BRICS members of tariffs for challenging dollar dominance

October 15, 2025 | 16:07 IST