Potential Tariff on BRICS Countries, Allies

Overnight on July 6, 2025, President Trump issued a statement threatening additional tariffs on imports from countries that align themselves with the BRICS bloc. This statement comes just as BRICS countries have begun their annual summit in Brazil. BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has in recent years expanded both its membership and its coordination on trade and economic policy. The President’s announcement makes clear that the United States views participation in “anti-American policies” by BRICS-affiliated nations as grounds for imposing economic penalties.

The New Policy

As of this writing, there has not been an official Executive Order or Proclamation formally establishing a tariff. However, based on the President’s statement, any country determined to be aligning itself with BRICS will face an additional 10% tariff on all goods exported to the United States. The statement emphasizes that there will be no exceptions to this surcharge. The President’s exact wording is as follows:

Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

The statement provides few details regarding the specifics of the policy. There has been no formal clarification regarding exactly which countries will be subject to the tariff. The new duty could potentially cover goods from BRICS member countries, as well as countries that partner with BRICS. The current BRICS members are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia; BRICS strategic partners include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Vietnam.

Going Forward

For U.S. importers, this development could create significant uncertainty, particularly if trading partners are formally designated as BRICS-aligned. As stated above, the announcement does not specify how the government will define “alignment,” nor does it identify which countries will be subject to the tariff in the near term. Until further guidance is issued, importers and freight forwarders should be aware that any country engaging in BRICS-coordinated policies could potentially be targeted.

Companies sourcing goods internationally should begin assessing their supply chains to identify any exposure to regions that may fall under this designation. Importers should also consider reviewing current contracts and landed cost models to account for the potential 10% increase in duties. Freight forwarders and customs brokers will need to stay alert for updates on implementation dates, applicable country lists, and any required declarations or certifications.

At this time, no formal regulatory guidance has been issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is expected that additional details will be released in the coming days, clarifying how the policy will be applied and enforced. In the meantime, importers and logistics providers are encouraged to monitor official announcements closely and prepare contingency plans.

Conclusion

If you have questions about how this policy could affect your importing activities or customs compliance, please contact our office for assistance. As new tariff regulations continue to evolve, navigating these changes requires experienced legal counsel. At Liang + Mooney, PLLC, our seasoned tariff lawyers can answer your questions and concerns with sophisticated legal solutions.  If you seek strategic counsel and insight into how these changes could affect your operations, we invite you to contact us to schedule a consultation.