President-elect Donald Trump threatened BRICS countries with 100% tariff rates if they decide to ditch the US dollar for trade. Trump made it clear that de-dollarization or launching a new currency and payment system to bypass the US dollar will be met with a 100% tariff on goods entering the US markets. If the tariff is imposed, BRICS countries will find it hard as their imports and export sectors will be hit.
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On the heels of the recent 100% tariff threats by Trump, BRICS countries have reacted to the development. While some members doubt the tariff can be put in place, others remain cautious to not irk the President-elect. The balancing act of diplomacy now comes into the picture and how they navigate the next four years will decide the success of the de-dollarization agenda.
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100% Tariffs on Goods Entering the US: BRICS Reacts to Trump’s Latest Threats
Source: Alan Santos / PR / Wikipedia Commons
BRICS member Russia said that Trump’s threats will backfire as the alliance is committed to uprooting the US dollar’s dominance. “More and more countries are switching to the use of national currencies in their trade and foreign economic activities,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to Reuters.
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The spokesperson said that BRICS countries will band together stronger if Trump adds further economic pressure on the alliance. “If the US uses force, as they say, economic force, to compel countries to use the dollar it will further strengthen the trend of switching to national currencies,” said Peskov.
On the other hand, BRICS member India also remains skeptical of Trump’s 100% tariff threats. The think tank GTRI said that imposing tariffs will inadvertently make consumer goods more expensive for US customers. While the export and import sectors will take heat, eventually the sellers will place the tax on the consumer’s shoulders.
