Title: “BRICS is Dead” – Donald Trump’s Bold Claim and the Reality Behind Itand today we’ll dive deep into a bold and controversial statement recently made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding BRICS.
Donald Trump’s Claim: “BRICS is Dead”
Recently, Donald Trump claimed that the BRICS alliance — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has “broken up.” According to Trump, the group is no longer functioning effectively and has lost relevance, especially since he threatened to impose a 150% tariff on member countries. He said, “BRICS broke up… we haven’t heard from them. They’re done.”
Trump even asserted that his tariff threats were so powerful that BRICS nations are now “begging” for relief and that their effort to challenge the U.S. dollar by creating a new currency has failed.
The Reality Check: Is BRICS Really Dead?
Despite Trump’s confident assertions, the ground reality tells a completely different story.
1. BRICS is Expanding, Not Shrinking
Far from falling apart, BRICS is in a phase of expansion. South Africa is hosting the G20 summit in 2025, which the U.S. has decided to boycott — ironically increasing BRICS’s geopolitical importance.
Moreover, Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, is set to join BRICS in 2025, becoming its 10th member. Brazil has officially invited Indonesia to the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil.
2. No BRICS Currency Coming — But That Was Never the Priority
Trump’s focus on a unified BRICS currency is misleading. India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently stated that the idea of a common currency involving China is “impossible to imagine.” The idea was never officially adopted. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also clarified back in 2023 that there are no plans for a joint BRICS currency, calling such a move impractical.
Russia, too, shares this sentiment — there are no concrete steps being taken toward forming a BRICS currency, and no member country seems pressured by Trump’s tariff threats.
Why Trump is Saying This
So, why would Trump make such an exaggerated claim?
The answer lies in U.S. domestic politics. Trump is gearing up for another presidential campaign, and his strategy is to project himself as a global economic strongman. By declaring BRICS “dead,” he’s trying to show his base that his tough trade policies are working internationally.
Despite soaring inflation in the U.S., Trump wants to convince voters that his international tactics — like tariff threats — are yielding results, even if that’s not the case in reality.
Trump’s Confusion About BRICS
It’s also worth noting that Trump has shown limited understanding of BRICS. In one clip, he even said he didn’t know China was part of BRICS — despite making statements about the group for years. He has repeatedly mentioned that BRICS has six members, when in fact it has nine currently and will soon welcome a 10th.
Conclusion: BRICS is Far From Dead
Despite Trump’s loud proclamations, the BRICS alliance is not only intact but also evolving. While there’s no plan for a common currency, the group is actively working toward increasing trade in local currencies, reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar.
Whether Trump’s statements are just campaign rhetoric or genuine confusion, the facts on the ground suggest that BRICS continues to grow in influence — and global attention.