US President-elect Donald Trump has raised tensions with the BRICS bloc by threatening to impose 100% tariffs on imports from member countries if they proceed with developing a new currency to challenge the US dollar.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, November 30, Trump declared, “The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER.”

The BRICS group, originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently expanded to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

The bloc has voiced its intention to reduce dependence on the US dollar, with some members, including Russia and China, pushing for a BRICS-backed currency as an alternative global reserve currency.

Trump reaffirmed the US’s strong position, stating, “We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar, or they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy.”

This statement is part of a broader trade stance taken by Trump, who has also threatened 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% on goods from China, citing concerns like illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

These threats have already sparked diplomatic responses, including a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

BRICS nations have long criticized the dominance of the US dollar in global trade, with Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Western powers of “weaponizing” the currency. At the BRICS summit in October, Putin argued that US sanctions against Russia have diminished trust in the dollar.

The idea of a BRICS currency was formally discussed during last year’s summit in South Africa, where member countries advocated for a financial system less reliant on Western control.

Trump’s tariff threats reflect his aggressive trade policy, a central element of his campaign during the recent US election. His strong victory has reinforced his determination to reshape global trade and protect the “mighty US dollar.”

As Trump prepares to take office, the international economic community is closely watching to see whether his threats will materialize and how BRICS nations and other trading partners will respond.