[Report by Ouanchao Network, Liu Bai] As the voices of open cooperation among the BRICS nations resonate in South America, President Donald Trump has once again wielded his tariff “sword” and even blatantly threatened the BRICS nations, quickly prompting a counter-strike from these countries.
On July 7th, local time, following the BRICS leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula fiercely criticized Trump’s threats during an interview. He stated, “The world has changed; we don’t need a monarch.” Lula emphasized that the BRICS nations are seeking another global organizational model from an economic perspective, which is precisely why some people feel uneasy.
During a routine meeting on the afternoon of July 7th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to inquiries, stating, “Regarding tariff increases, China has repeatedly clarified its stance – a trade war or tariff war has no winners, protectionism has no path forward.”
According to Reuters, at the end of the BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro, when asked about Trump’s tariff threats, Lula firmly stated, “The world has changed. We don’t need a monarch.”
He spoke about the BRICS nations as follows: “These are countries that wish to find a new global organizational model from an economic perspective. I believe this is precisely why some people feel uneasy about the BRICS nations.”
On July 7th, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula delivered a speech at the press conference of the 17th BRICS Summit.
Lula once again expressed his views on how global trade should escape the dependence on the US dollar.
“The world must find a way to make our trade relations not have to rely on the US dollar,” Lula stated after the summit.
“Of course, we must take a cautious and responsible approach. Our central bank needs to discuss with the central banks of other countries,” he added, “This will be a process of gradual advancement and eventual consolidation.”
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This is not the first time Lula has criticized Trump. On June 25th, Lula criticized Trump’s tone and his communication with the media.
“As a president of such a large country as the United States, he (Trump) should be cautious in his words and actions,” said Lula. “He should spend less time on the internet and more like a head of state… He should think more about multilateralism and peace.”
Other BRICS countries also refuted Trump’s threats.
South African President Ramaphosa stated that BRICS does not seek to compete with any other major power. South Africa is confident in reaching a trade agreement with the United States.
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov mentioned, “The uniqueness of the BRICS cooperation mechanism lies in its alliance of countries with common ideals and shared worldviews who have the same vision for cooperation. The framework of the BRICS cooperation mechanism has never, and will never, target any third country.”
India has yet to officially respond to Trump’s remarks.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ regular meeting on July 7th, Mao Ning stated that the BRICS mechanism is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, advocating openness, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation, and avoiding confrontational camps or targeting any country.
During the meeting, there was further questioning about Trump’s threat to impose tariffs. In response, Mao Ning reiterated that the BRICS mechanism is a positive force internationally. BRICS cooperation is open and inclusive, without targeting any country. As for tariffs, we consistently oppose wars over tariffs and trade wars, opposing using tariffs as a tool of coercion and pressure. Imposing tariffs arbitrarily does not benefit any party.
On July 7th, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the BRICS Summit.
On June 6th, Trump threatened on social media that any country supporting the “anti-American policy” of the BRICS countries would face an additional 10% tariff.
“Any country that aligns itself with the anti-American policy of the BRICS countries will be subject to an additional 10% tariff. This policy will not be exempted.”
Thank you for your attention to this issue!”
However, he did not explain or elaborate on the “anti-American policy” mentioned in the post.
In December last year, before Trump had been elected and had taken office, he threatened that if the BRICS countries did not abandon their plans to create a currency that could replace the dollar, the United States would impose a 100% tariff on them.
While criticizing Trump’s unilateralism, the Brazilian President was still fixated on advancing his “countervailing tariffs” policy. Trump had earlier stated that he would send letters to ten or more countries regarding the imposition of tariffs.
On the 7th, Trump signed an executive order to extend the so-called “countervailing tariffs” moratorium, delaying its implementation from July 9 to August 1.
He also posted a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on social media, announcing that the United States would impose a 25% tariff on all Japanese and Korean products imported into the US starting from August 1, 2025.
He warned that if Japan and South Korea responded by raising tariffs, the United States would do the same at the 25% level.
According to Reuters, against the backdrop of escalating armed conflicts and trade tensions, the BRICS countries are positioning themselves as a safe haven for multilateral diplomacy. Saudi Arabia has formally accepted the invitation to become an official member, currently participating as a partner country. More than 30 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS cooperation either as official members or partners.
“The vacuum left by other countries is almost immediately filled by the BRICS,” Reuters quoted an anonymous Brazilian official saying. Despite the G7 still holding significant power, it “has lost its former dominant position.”
Before Trump’s threat was made, the BRICS countries issued a joint statement on the 6th, expressing “serious concerns” about the US’s tariff increase without directly naming it. They criticized the unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures that the US has initiated, arguing that they distort trade, do not comply with World Trade Organization rules, and could reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and bring uncertainty.