President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on the BRICS coalition of non-Western countries if they move away from trading using the U.S. dollar. The BRICS alliance includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The group expanded in 2023 to include additional countries, and the concept of “de-dollarization” has gained momentum within the alliance. However, experts doubt the group’s ability to create its own global currency due to differences among member nations. Some members of BRICS, such as India and China, are major trading partners with the United States.
In a separate post, Trump also threatened to raise tariffs on Mexico and Canada to address the fentanyl crisis and on China to address drug trafficking issues. He had a productive meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and discussed cooperation to combat the drug epidemic. Mexican President Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s threats with a letter emphasizing the need for cooperation and mutual understanding to address migration and drug consumption.
Trump’s communication with world leaders has stirred controversy, with conflicting accounts of his conversations. Despite the tensions, there is a commitment from officials to work together to address shared challenges. Trump’s aggressive stance on tariffs and trade disputes reflects his administration’s approach to addressing various issues, including drug trafficking and economic competition.
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