Will Trump's Tariff War Draw A United BRICS Response? What We Know So Far

Last Updated:August 08, 2025, 20:22 IST

Brazil's Lula said he would not initiate trade talks with President Donald Trump and instead proposed that BRICS nations consider a joint response.

Heads of state and government of member, partner, and external engagement countries attend a plenary session of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has recently imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil and India, a move that has drawn the BRICS nations closer like never before.

As Trump continues his tirade over tariffs, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for a joint BRICS response against the US actions.

Among the BRICS nations—which Trump criticised for “anti-US" policies— China currently faces 30% US tariffs, while Brazil is subject to 50% and South Africa to 30%. After the US revoked Russia’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, many Russian goods are subject to around 20% tariffs. However, Trump warned Putin of more sanctions, which might include tariffs, if Russia does not end the war with Ukraine.

Countries such as Cambodia (49%), Vietnam (46%), Sri Lanka (45%), Madagascar (44%), Myanmar and Laos (41% each), Syria (41%), Switzerland (39%), and Iraq and Serbia (35%) face higher US tariffs.

Is BRICS Mulling To Counter Trump’s Tariffs? Flurry Of Calls In 48 Hours Raises Eyebrows

A diplomatic buzz is unfolding within BRICS after the US sharply raised tariffs on Brazilian goods to 50 per cent. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he would not initiate trade talks with President Donald Trump and instead proposed that BRICS nations consider a joint response.

While no BRICS leader has publicly backed Lula’s proposal so far, a series of phone calls in the past 48 hours suggests the matter may be under discussion.

On Thursday, Lula spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on “unilateral" tariffs and the global economic situation. The same day, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on issues of “mutual interest."

On Friday, Putin separately spoke with China’s President Xi Jinping and PM Modi. Xi, Putin, and Modi are expected to meet later this month at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, potentially providing a forum for further talks on Trump’s tariffs.

What Trump Said About BRICS?

Trump has called BRICS a “group of countries that are anti-US" and said they are attacking the dollar.

“BRICS, which is a group of countries that are anti the United States… It is an attack on the dollar, and we are not going to let anybody attack the dollar. So it’s partially BRICS and it’s partially trade," he had said.

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