By Manlio Dinucci
Trump’s duties are intended to target the BRICS in the first instance. This is because the BRICS represent a multipolar world, something that is obstructed and fought over by the US-led West. The West is losing its centuries-long dominance and is seeking to preserve it by military force and war, from Europe to the Middle East and the Far East.
Trump is relaunching the trade war by threatening heavy tariffs, including on allies like Europe, unless they accept US conditions. Other countries have already been notified of very high tariffs. The aim is not simply commercial. Trump himself has confirmed this, threatening “an additional 10 per cent tariff on BRICS countries“. Brazil is a founding member. It hosted and chaired the last BRICS summit. This concluded on 6 July. The Rio de Janeiro Declaration marked it. The declaration was titled “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” Brazil has been subjected to 50% tariffs. These tariffs apply to all products it exports to the US.
President Trump explained the official motivation for this measure as follows:
“It is in retaliation for Brazil’s treatment of former President Bolsonaro, a highly respected leader by the United States, who is being unfairly tried for an attempted coup’.”
By stating this, President Trump is effectively claiming the right to decide on the internal affairs of Brazil and any other country.
The BRICS group expanded to include 20 countries: 10 members and 10 partners. The members are: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (the founding members), as well as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. Partners: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. The BRICS now account for 56% of the world’s population and 44% of the world’s GDP( at purchasing power parity). They manage around a 25% share of world trade. They also own significant proportions of the world’s reserves of rare earth minerals, oil, natural gas, and mineral coal. This fast-growing reality, which is an expression of a multipolar world, is being hindered and opposed by the West, led by the United States. The West is losing the dominance it has exercised for centuries, and seeking to preserve this dominance through military might and war. This strategy lies at the root of the current wars and preparations for war in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Manlio Dinucci, award-winning author, geopolitical analyst and geographer, Pisa, Italy. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG).
14 July 2025
Source: globalresearch.ca