### Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on BRIC Nations Over Dollar Conflict

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to a group of nine nations, threatening 100% tariffs if they attempt to undermine the U.S. dollar. This move targets the BRIC alliance, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. dollar, the most widely used currency in global trade, makes up approximately 58% of the world's foreign exchange reserves according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Many commodities, such as oil, are predominantly traded in dollars. Despite the dollar's strong presence, the BRIC nations are seeking to reduce their reliance on it, a shift referred to as de-dollarization.

In a recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump demanded that these countries commit to not creating a new BRICS currency or backing any other currency to replace the U.S. dollar. He warned that failure to comply would result in the imposition of 100% tariffs and loss of access to the U.S. market.

At a BRIC summit in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the U.S. for "weaponizing" the dollar and called it a "big mistake." He argued that the group is not refusing to use the dollar, but they are compelled to look for alternatives due to restrictive U.S. policies. Russia has been advocating for a new payment system that bypasses the SWIFT network and allows Moscow to evade Western sanctions while trading with partners.

Trump expressed confidence that BRIC would not replace the U.S. dollar as the dominant global trade currency. He reiterated that any such attempt would lead to dire consequences and countries involved should prepare to lose access to the American market.

Research indicates that the U.S. dollar's position as the world's primary reserve currency remains strong. A model from the Atlantic Council confirms that the dollar is "secure in the near and medium term" and continues to outperform other currencies.

Trump's latest tariff threats come on the heels of previous tariff announcements, including a proposed 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tax on Chinese goods. These measures aim to address issues such as illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the U.S. After recent discussions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed optimism about avoiding a tariff war, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned from a meeting with Trump without firm assurances regarding the threatened tariffs on Canadian goods.