5 hours ago
Last Updated:July 08, 2025, 23:08 IST
Donald Trump said White House tariff letters represent trade deals as he warned BRICS of a 10% tariff.
US President Donald Trump (Image Credit: Reuters)
US President Donald Trump said that the tariff letters sent by the White House to various countries effectively represent trade deals. During a cabinet meeting, Donald Trump said, “A letter means a deal because it is a better way- because we have 200 countries."
The comment comes amid Donald Trump’s sweeping trade overhaul, under which more than a dozen countries received formal notices of tariff hikes, with rates ranging from 25% to 40%. The White House said these moves are aimed at correcting long-standing trade imbalances and pressuring countries to engage on more favorable terms.
Donald Trump’s Warning To BRICS Nations
Donald Trump issued a clear warning to BRICS nations- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa- which has been expanding and exploring alternatives to US-dollar-dominated trade systems. Donald Trump said, “BRICS was set up to undermine the dollar. If they are a member of BRICS, they have to pay a 10% tariff."
Reaffirming his commitment to defending the dollar’s dominance in global finance, Donald Trump said bluntly, “The dollar is king. We are going to keep it that way. If people want to challenge it, they can. But they will have to pay a big price. I don’t think any of them are going to pay that price."
The 10% surcharge, he suggested, would apply broadly to nations formally joining or actively aligning themselves with BRICS, adding another layer to his administration’s confrontational economic posture.
Donald Trump Says Trade Rates Are ‘Low And Fair’
Donald Trump defended his aggressive tariff strategy, insisting that the rates were not only fair but often lower than what other countries had previously imposed on the US.
“Yes, the deals are mostly my deal to them. We are picking a number which is low and is fair," he said, adding, “The number is mostly lower than what they charged us."
Read more: Trump’s ‘No Extension’ Warning On Tariffs: ‘Money Will Be Due And Payable Starting August 1’
He reiterated that the letters function as non-negotiable offers- signaling that compliance, not prolonged talks, is his preferred path to economic alignment.
Donald Trump’s Tariffs
Under Donald Trump’s new tariff regime, the United States imposed sharply increased rates on 14 countries, with the highest levies targeting Laos and Myanmar at 40 percent, followed by Thailand and Cambodia at 36 percent and Bangladesh and Serbia at 35 percent. Indonesia faces a 32 percent rate while South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina are hit with 30 percent tariffs. A 25 percent tariff has been applied to Malaysia, Tunisia, Japan, South Korea and Kazakhstan. These tariffs are set to take effect on August 1.
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world 'They’ll Have To Pay': Trump Warns India, Other BRICS Members Of Extra 10% Tariff
