In the evolving dynamics of international relations, two powerful forces stand in contrast — U.S. President Donald Trump and the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). While Trump symbolizes a resurgence of nationalist, America-first policies, BRICS represents a collective shift toward multipolarity in global power structures. The rivalry is not direct in military terms, but the ideological, economic, and geopolitical divergences are substantial. This blog explores how Trump’s political ideology, foreign policy decisions, and global rhetoric intersect and clash with the vision and ambitions of the BRICS nations.
Understanding BRICS: The Emerging Global South Powerhouse
BRICS originated in the early 2000s as a grouping of fast-growing economies. Initially coined as "BRIC" by economist Jim O’Neill, the group gained momentum due to the rapid economic rise of China and India and the resource-rich growth in Brazil and Russia. South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS.
Their collective aim is to challenge the Western-dominated financial and geopolitical order, particularly institutions like the World Bank, IMF, and NATO. Key objectives of BRICS include:
- Reforming global financial institutions
- Creating alternate financial systems (like the BRICS Bank, now called the New Development Bank)
- Promoting trade in local currencies, reducing dollar dependency
- Strengthening South-South cooperation
- Expanding the grouping (with countries like Iran, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia..)
Donald Trump: The America-First Disruptor
Donald Trump, elected as U.S. President in 2016, drastically shifted America’s foreign policy. His "America First" slogan wasn’t just domestic rhetoric — it translated into pulling the U.S. away from multilateral treaties, cutting funding to global bodies, and confronting perceived adversaries directly.
Key elements of Trump’s international policy that affected BRICS:
- Withdrawal from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord, TPP, and WHO
- Trade war with China
- Sanctions on Russia and Iran
- Criticism of India on trade barriers
- Reduced engagement with Africa and Latin America, allowing China and Russia to expand influence
Trump’s worldview conflicted with the multipolar aims of BRICS. While he weakened U.S. alliances (like NATO), BRICS used that space to gain visibility as an alternate bloc.
Trade Wars and Economic Hostility
Trump's biggest direct confrontation with a BRICS member was with China. His administration imposed tariffs worth hundreds of billions on Chinese imports, accusing China of:
- Intellectual property theft
- Currency manipulation
- Unfair trade practices
China retaliated with tariffs on U.S. goods. This trade war disrupted global markets, caused economic slowdown fears, and deepened the divide between the U.S. and the Global South.
India also came under Trump’s scrutiny. He removed India from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program in 2019, citing unfair trade practices. Tensions flared on tariffs related to dairy, medical devices, and tech.
Brazil under Bolsonaro initially aligned with Trump on ideological lines, including climate skepticism, but diverged on trade when U.S. steel tariffs affected Brazilian exports.
Russia faced maximum pressure from Trump’s sanctions due to its alleged 2016 election interference, Crimea annexation, and Nord Stream 2 pipeline. These sanctions pushed Russia closer to China and BRICS for economic cooperation.
Also Read BRICS vs G7: https://www.thebriefdesk.com/2025/07/brics-vs-g7-clash-of-global-power-blocs.html
Trump and BRICS on Climate, Health, and Multilateralism
Climate Change
Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord in 2017, calling it unfair to American businesses. BRICS countries — especially India, China, and Brazil — remained committed, emphasizing their role in fighting climate change and gaining moral leadership in global platforms.
Global Health
During COVID-19, Trump cut funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing it of being “China-centric.” BRICS members used this vacuum to advocate for stronger Global South voices in health governance. China launched “vaccine diplomacy,” supplying millions of doses to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Multilateralism
While BRICS champions multipolarity and multilateral reform, Trump favored bilateral deals. His exit from multilateral pacts weakened the liberal world order, but BRICS viewed it as a chance to promote alternate institutions like:
- The New Development Bank (NDB)
- Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)
- Potential BRICS currency or digital payment system
Trump’s View of BRICS: A Threat or an Opportunity?
Though Trump never directly targeted BRICS as a bloc, his policies clearly undermined their members. His administration saw China and Russia as strategic threats, India as a transactional partner, Brazil as a brief ally, and South Africa as peripheral.
Strategic Threats
- China: Trump viewed China as the top rival in trade, technology, and military influence.
- Russia: Despite personal warmth with Putin, his government sanctioned Russia aggressively.
Strategic Ambiguity
- India: Trump courted Modi with events like “Howdy Modi” and “Namaste Trump,” but remained tough on trade.
- Brazil: Ideological alignment with Bolsonaro did not translate into strong economic ties.
- South Africa: Mostly ignored during Trump’s presidency, allowing BRICS to consolidate influence in Africa.
BRICS Expansion: Trump’s Indirect Trigger?
Under Trump, many countries began questioning the reliability of the U.S. as a global leader. This shift increased interest in BRICS among nations disillusioned by the West.
Countries like Argentina, and Saudi Arabia started showing interest in BRICS membership, seeking:
- Dollar-independent trade
- Protection from Western sanctions
- New infrastructure funding options
Ironically, Trump’s confrontational global stance may have accelerated BRICS expansion — not by intention, but by alienating nations from the traditional Western order.
Tech and Cybersecurity Fronts
Trump’s administration cracked down on Chinese tech companies like Huawei, TikTok, and ZTE, citing national security threats. This started a digital cold war between the U.S. and China.
In response, BRICS nations emphasized digital sovereignty:
- India banned dozens of Chinese apps post-Galwan clash.
- Russia developed its own internet firewall system.
- China pushed for the Digital Silk Road.
- BRICS discussed alternatives to SWIFT and Western-dominated internet governance.
This cyber divergence shows how the Trump era accelerated global tech decoupling, aligning BRICS nations closer on digital autonomy.
BRICS Summit Responses to Trump-Era Policies
The BRICS Summits during Trump’s presidency (2017–2020) often issued statements pushing back against unilateralism and economic nationalism. Key themes included:
- Promoting WTO reform, not exit
- Supporting the Paris Climate Accord
- Condemning protectionism
- Calling for peaceful dispute resolution (clearly directed at U.S. rhetoric on Iran, North Korea, etc.)
The group repeatedly positioned itself as a voice of reason, development, and balance against the unpredictability of Trump-era diplomacy.
The Bigger Picture: Power Shift in the 21st Century
The contest between Trump’s nationalist, U.S.-centric worldview and BRICS’ multipolar vision highlights the transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world.
Key Indicators of the Shift:
- Rise of China: As a dominant economic power rivaling the U.S.
- Global South Solidarity: Nations rallying around BRICS for fairer representation.
- Alternative Financial Structures: De-dollarization, BRICS bank, local currency trade.
- Weakening Western Influence: Trump’s policies created strategic vacuums exploited by BRICS nations.
Fast Forward to 2025: Trump’s Return and Escalating Confrontation
Reelected in 2024, Trump returned with an even more aggressive international economic strategy. His administration announced sweeping tariff hikes in early 2025, targeting BRICS countries both collectively and individually. This marked a sharp escalation in the Trump-BRICS rivalry.
Trump’s Tariff Offensive (July 2025)
- 10% base import tariff on all imports globally.
- 125% tariff on Chinese goods, reigniting the trade war.
- 40% tariffs on copper, steel, and pharma goods from BRICS-aligned states.
- 26% on Indian exports, citing "unfair subsidy practices."
- 30% on South Africa and Brazil after both countries endorsed the BRICS common currency roadmap.
In addition, Trump signed executive orders on July 6, 2025, threatening an additional 10% tariff on countries aligning with “anti-American BRICS strategies.” Formal warnings were issued to Brazil, Egypt, and Iran by July 7.
Trump’s Statements
“If these nations think they can build a world economy without the U.S. dollar, they’re mistaken,” Trump said at a rally in Georgia on July 8. “We will not subsidize our own decline.”
BRICS Response at Rio Summit 2025
The July 6–8 BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro became the most unified response to the United States in BRICS history. The group, now expanded to include Egypt, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, and others, issued strong collective statements against unilateral tariffs.
Joint BRICS Declaration Highlights
- “The U.S. actions threaten multilateralism and fragment the global economy.”
- “Trade cannot be weaponized for political advantage.”
- “We reaffirm our commitment to financial independence through de-dollarisation and local currency trade.”
Brazil’s President Lula stated, “The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor.” China also responded diplomatically but firmly, warning that “tariffs have no winners.”
Economic and Market Impacts
Trump's 2025 trade policies are already shaking global markets:
- Copper futures jumped 13% in July following the tariff hike on African and Latin American metals.
- Chinese exports surged temporarily as traders rushed to beat August 1 tariff deadlines.
- BRICS currency discussions advanced, with technical working groups exploring blockchain-backed systems for trade settlement.
Meanwhile, the IMF, World Bank, and WTO expressed concern that the growing U.S.-BRICS confrontation may derail global economic recovery.
Trump’s Tariff Doctrine: Strategic, Not Just Economic
Analysts believe Trump’s approach is not just about trade — it's about global influence. His policies are meant to isolate BRICS diplomatically and economically by raising the cost of trade and punishing partnerships with China or Russia.
U.S. think tanks aligned with Trump have described BRICS as a “shadow bloc” seeking to undermine the post-WWII order. Trump’s national security advisors argue that de-dollarisation, BRICS banking initiatives, and digital currency systems are all strategic threats to American dominance.
BRICS Counters with Bold Initiatives
At the Rio summit, BRICS leaders advanced several major countermeasures:
- Expanded use of national currencies for oil and gas trade (e.g., China-Iran and India-Russia).
- Proposal for a BRICS Credit Rating Agency to challenge Moody’s and S&P.
- Agreement on “BRICS Pay” – a decentralized digital settlement system.
These moves, especially if adopted by new members like Indonesia or Saudi Arabia, could accelerate a fundamental shift in how global finance works.
Global Divides Widening
Trump’s trade war 2.0 is pushing countries to pick sides. While Europe has remained cautious, African, Asian, and Latin American countries are warming to the idea of BRICS as a counterbalance to U.S. unpredictability.
As of July 15, 2025:
- 32 countries have signed MOUs with BRICS on financial cooperation.
- 8 G20 nations are trading partially in non-dollar currency pairs.
- 5 BRICS-aligned countries plan to move oil invoicing to a “BRICS Unit of Account.”
What Lies Ahead?
The situation continues to evolve rapidly. Key developments to watch:
- August 1: New U.S. tariffs come into effect on copper, semiconductors, and rare earth imports.
- September 2025: BRICS finance ministers to release framework for BRICS digital payment rails.
- November 2025: U.S. midterm elections and possible Congressional response to Trump’s trade escalations.
Conclusion: A Defining Global Power Struggle
What began as a rhetorical clash in Trump’s first term has now become a full-spectrum confrontation. Trump’s second-term policies have made BRICS more united, more determined, and more global in its outreach. Meanwhile, Trump's tariff-led protectionism signals the return of hard-edged American nationalism, rejecting any dilution of U.S. dominance.
In this geopolitical chessboard, BRICS is not just surviving—it is rising. And Trump is not just reacting—he is attempting to reshape the world to America’s sole image. The result is a high-stakes, high-impact rivalry that will define the economic future of billions.
Written by: The Brief Desk
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