Brazilian President Lula responded to Trump’s tariff threat, saying the world “don’t want an emperor” to assault the internet.
President Donald Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the BRICS economic bloc after the group provided indirect criticism of the trade war and recent military attacks in Iran.
On Monday, Trump targeted a 10-man block. The 10-person bloc is trying to strengthen the emerging economy and framing its profits as US antagonists.
“Country in line with BRICS’s anti-American policies will be charged an additional 10% tariff,” Trump wrote in the mail. “There are no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for keeping an eye on this issue!”
BRICS is named after its founding members, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. However, it is now included in other countries such as Indonesia, Egypt, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Over the weekend, the group held its 17th Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The conference reached its peak with a declaration that was caught up in promoting peace and global cooperation.
However, some items in the Joint Declaration appeared to target the United States and its ally, Israel, despite neither being identified by name. For example, under a section entitled “Strengthening Multilateralism and Reforming Global Governance,” BRICS leaders called for an increase in tariffs in global trade.
This appears to be directed at Trump, who threatened US trading partners with a series of tariffs to negotiate more favorable trade deals and accurate policy concessions.
The US President also calls tariffs “the most beautiful word for me in the dictionary,” but many economists warn that the costs of such import taxes are often offset by consumers.
Trump has also supported the use of other protectionist economic policies under the banner of his “America First” agenda. However, BRICS leaders warned that these types of policies could backfire.
“We express serious concern about the rise of unilateral tariffs and non-concern measures that distort trade and contradict the WTO. [World Trade Organization] Rules,” BRICS leaders said in a statement.
Such measures “can reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, introduce uncertainty in international economic and trade activities, and exacerbate existing economic disparities.”
BRICS leaders also used their declaration to condemn the recent military strike against Iran, one of the bloc’s member states.
“We condemn Iran’s military strike against the Islamic Republic since June 13, 2025. This constitutes a violation of international law,” they wrote, adding that “peaceful nuclear facilities” had been targeted.
Israel carried out its first attack on Iran during the 12-day war on June 13, and on June 22, the US sent seven B-2 spirit stealth bombers to Iran to attack three nuclear facilities. Both Israel and the US have denied Iran seeking nuclear weapons, but they argue that these actions are necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In the wake of Trump’s tariff threat, BRICS leaders were rushing to assure their US counterparts that they were not seeking conflict. But others have challenged Trump’s remarks.
“I’ve noticed that President Trump tweeted, and I think we need to have a deeper understanding of the emergence of various power centers of the world,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said. “And this should be seen in positive light, not negative light.”
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva took a dull approach to Trump’s threat.
“I don’t think it’s very liable or serious for a president of a country as big as the US to threaten the world through the Internet,” Lula said in a questioning and answering session with reporters.
“That’s not right. The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor.”
