“Any country aligning with anti‑American BRICS policies will face a 10 % tariff. No exceptions.”
– President Donald Trump, during the Rio BRICS summit
Politics | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | July 7, 2025
President Trump has ignited global outrage by threatening a 10 % additional tariff on any country aligning with BRICS policies. The announcement, made during the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, is widely viewed as a provocative attempt to intimidate sovereign nations that are seeking independence from U.S. influence.
But this raises an important question:
What gives Trump—or any U.S. president—the power to dictate what other nations do?
Sovereignty Is Not Negotiable
In the world of international law, sovereignty is sacred. No country—no matter how wealthy, technologically advanced, or militarily powerful—has the legal or moral authority to impose its political will on other independent states.
Yet, for decades, the United States has acted as if it holds a global veto. From economic sanctions that cripple nations, to military interventions justified under the banner of “freedom and democracy,” the U.S. has repeatedly positioned itself as the ultimate referee of global affairs.
Trump’s declaration to impose tariffs on BRICS nations is not just an economic threat—it is a continuation of this pattern. It’s a stark reminder of how Washington has attempted to act as the world’s enforcer, using its economic clout to punish nations that choose alternative alliances or challenge U.S. dominance.
This heavy-handed approach has often backfired, creating resentment among countries that feel suffocated by American influence. The notion that one leader, in one country, can unilaterally punish others for pursuing their own interests is not only outdated—it is dangerous.
But this time, the world is changing. BRICS, with its expanded membership and focus on multipolarity, represents a growing resistance to the idea that the U.S. alone should set the rules. Countries like Brazil, India, and South Africa are asserting that their decisions about trade, alliances, and currency use are internal matters—not subject to American approval.
“Sovereignty is not granted by Washington—it is inherent. The age of U.S. economic imperialism is being challenged in ways we haven’t seen in decades.”
BRICS Pushes Back
At the summit, BRICS leaders stood firm against Trump’s ultimatum.
“The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor. Tariffs should not be used as a tool for coercion and pressuring.”
– Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
“This is the kind of arrogance that fractured the global system in the first place.”
– South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa
“Economic terrorism masquerading as diplomacy.”
– Russia’s Sergei Lavrov
These leaders are making it clear: the U.S. does not get to decide who nations trade with or how they align themselves on the global stage. The BRICS bloc sees Trump’s move as an attempt to cling to a world order that is slipping away.
“When one nation tries to dominate all others, history shows us that resistance becomes inevitable.”
For BRICS members, this moment is not just about trade—it’s about resisting U.S. attempts to police the choices of the rest of the world.
The Haitian Pulse Speaks
At The Haitian Pulse, we ask: who gave Trump the authority to act as the master of the world?
The rise of BRICS signals that more nations are unwilling to bow to U.S. dominance. While Trump flexes his economic muscle, countries are increasingly choosing cooperation over coercion.
“The era of a single nation dictating terms to the rest of the world is fading. Sovereignty is not a privilege granted by America—it’s a right inherent to every nation.”
Haiti, too, must recognize that our future depends not on the permission of others but on our ability to stand with dignity among the family of nations. We cannot afford to be passive observers in this global shift. A sovereign Haiti must learn from BRICS: independence comes through bold choices, not waiting for others to approve our destiny.
At The Haitian Pulse, every article we publish is written with an unfiltered, unbiased, and straightforward Haitian perspective. We’re committed to delivering content that informs, inspires, and empowers. Sign up for updates and leave a comment below — your voice matters.
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