President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time stirring the global pot on Saturday, issuing a stern ultimatum to the bloc of nations known as BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with newcomers Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE. Trump threatened to hit these countries with “100% tariffs” if they dared to ditch the U.S. dollar in favor of a new BRICS currency. The message was straightforward: mess with the dollar, and you’ll pay the price.
In a characteristically fiery Truth Social post, Trump proclaimed that America would no longer tolerate passive acceptance of attempts to undermine its economic cornerstone. The U.S. dollar, he argued, isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s the backbone of American global influence. Trump’s demand for a BRICS commitment to halt any plans for a new currency was less a negotiation and more a line in the sand. He didn’t mince words, warning the nations that moving against the dollar would mean waving goodbye to access to the American market—a prospect few economies can afford.
The BRICS bloc has long flirted with the idea of challenging the dollar’s dominance, particularly after U.S. sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While these sanctions sent a strong message, they also prompted member nations to reconsider their reliance on the dollar. Despite years of chatter, internal disputes and logistical challenges have kept the dream of a BRICS currency just that—a dream. But Trump, never one to ignore a potential threat, seems determined to snuff out the possibility before it gains traction.
Trump’s aggressive stance isn’t confined to BRICS alone. He also floated the idea of imposing a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada, citing ongoing issues with illegal immigration and drug trafficking. While he described recent conversations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as productive, details remain fuzzy. Sheinbaum expressed optimism about avoiding a tariff showdown, but her confidence might be misplaced given Trump’s track record of turning trade negotiations into high-stakes gambits.
For Trump, this is a return to the tough-on-trade rhetoric that defined much of his first term. His threats align with his broader “America First” philosophy, reinforcing his message that challenges to U.S. economic or geopolitical power will be met with decisive action. Whether this strategy secures the dollar’s dominance or triggers global trade disruptions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Trump is gearing up for a second term that promises to be just as combative, unapologetic, and headline-grabbing as his first.
