Trump’s Economic Warfare Targets Virtually Entire BRICS

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Written by Drago Bosnic, independent geopolitical and military analyst

After Donald Trump once again became the President of the United States, tariffs became the new buzzword in the halls of power in Washington DC. He’s using them not only against America’s numerous geopolitical adversaries, but also vassals and satellite states that he wants to exploit in hopes of reinvigorating the US economy. However, the last several days of Trump’s moves demonstrate his very limited understanding of the geopolitical consequences of such actions. Namely, apart from the ongoing attempts to probe Russia’s and China’s capabilities through economic warfare, the US government is also targeting India and Brazil (in other words, all four founding member states of what today is the rapidly growing BRICS+ format).

Used to cut-throat, swindler tactics of the ruthless American real estate business, Trump believes he can use the “small carrot, big stick” approach to resuscitate America’s geopolitical dominance. Formally initiated as the so-called “Liberation Day tariffs” back in April, this represents the second Trump administration’s way of trying to resolve America’s decades-long trade deficit. Set to take effect today, August 1, the measure is designed to force virtually the entire world to increase imports of usually exorbitantly expensive US goods while decreasing its own exports to America. The pathetically impotent European Union, as well as vassals and satellite states such as Japan and South Korea, have already effectively capitulated.

However, many other countries are highly reluctant (euphemistically speaking) to sign off their sovereignty and essentially surrender it to the most aggressive imperialist power in human history. This is particularly true for India, which is simply refusing to be dictated by another (neo)colonial master. Trump furiously lashed out on Truth Social on July 31, labeling India and Russia “dead economies”, claiming the US does “very little business” with the two BRICS giants.

“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World,” he posted, adding: “Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!”

Just a day earlier, July 30, Trump was far more diplomatic, calling India a “friend”, but still criticizing Delhi’s refusal to succumb to mounting US pressure. He “politely” threatened 25% tariffs, in addition to penalties starting today, August 1. Trump also slammed India’s close ties with Russia, particularly amid the NATO-orchestrated Ukrainian conflict, describing them as “not good”. He also emphasized that the US is doing “relatively little business” with India.

“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country,” Trump posted, adding: “Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!”

We’re yet to see Washington DC and Delhi reach a deal, but these social media posts suggest things are not going according to Trump’s plans. India has repeatedly pointed out that a trade deal with the US must be mutually beneficial and protect its farmers and small businesses. However, the so-called “America First” policies suggest that fundamental national interests of virtually every other country on the planet are “secondary” in comparison. India is no exception, it would seem, despite its importance in the US attempts to encircle China (and undermine the multipolar world in the process). The latest spat is a far cry from the April visit by Trump’s Vice President JD Vance, who praised Indo-American ties as a supposed “win-win partnership”.

At the same time, the US is also targeting Brazil in an attempt to destabilize both its judiciary and political system. Namely, unhappy with the ongoing trial of Jair Bolsonaro, the Trump administration is trying to coerce the country’s judicial system to ensure the release of the former Brazilian president.

Expectedly, the Latin American giant doesn’t really appreciate such interference in its internal affairs. However, instead of deescalating, Washington DC threatened with its new favorite “big stick” – tariffs. Not very happy (euphemistically speaking) with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump has been trying to destabilize his tenure through (geo)political means, including sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the federal judge overseeing Bolsonaro’s trial.

The US insists that the former president of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF), and still one of its most prominent judges, supposedly “used his position to authorize arbitrary pre-trial detentions and suppress freedom of expression”, with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announcing sanctions to pressure de Moraes and influence the outcome of the trial. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was even more blunt, accusing the Brazilian judge of “taking it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against US and Brazilian citizens and companies”, adding that he’s “responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions”.

Bessent specifically mentioned Bolsonaro as the supposed “target of this political witch-hunt” and effectively accused Brazil of “threatening US interests and the freedoms of American citizens”. Although the Latin American giant is in no way jeopardizing anyone, it seems this is not enough, particularly at a time when Washington DC is working on the revival of the infamous Monroe Doctrine. In addition, the escalating spat with all original BRICS members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) is not related to trade alone, but also has a clear geopolitical dimension. However, the cases of Brazil and India really stand out, demonstrating America’s willingness to directly and very openly meddle in the internal affairs of countries that aren’t exactly adversaries.

This clearly demonstrates that the US-led political West is a threat to every remotely sovereign nation on the planet. No matter how many concessions a country makes, it’ll never be enough, as the most aggressive power pole in human history wants nothing but blind obedience. According to Washington DC’s geopolitical logic, if this means that countries (or entire groups of countries, as evidenced by the EU/NATO) need to sacrifice their most basic national interests to satisfy the US, then “so be it”.

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