Trump Threatens Brazil With Economic Sanctions

The economic clash between the global South and the United States is taking a new turn, and Brazil is asserting itself as a key player in this monetary battle. By opposing the supremacy of the U.S. dollar, the Latin American country is redefining global financial balances and questioning the traditional architecture of international trade. This decision fits into a process of dedollarization, which is gaining momentum within the BRICS, and which could significantly alter international economic circuits.

Brazil Escalates Its Break with the Dollar

The dedollarization strategy led by Brazil is no longer just a simple political discourse. Under the leadership of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the country is accelerating the development of BRICS Pay, a digital settlement platform that allows member states to bypass the SWIFT system, controlled by the United States. More than 50 countries are reportedly already ready to adopt this payment system, which constitutes a major break with the American monopoly on international transactions.

During a recent speech, Lula reaffirmed his commitment: “It is not about replacing our currencies, but we must work to ensure that the multipolar order we desire is reflected in the international financial system.” This ambition is shared by Russia, which announced in December that the countries of the BRICS bloc would use digital currencies for certain investments. However, no common currency is on the agenda, as each country prefers monetary cooperation without abandoning its financial sovereignty.

By taking the presidency of the BRICS alliance, Brazil aims to advance these initiatives at the summit in July 2025, which could be a turning point in the reshaping of global transactions. However, this policy is not without risk. Thus, the United States is closely monitoring these developments, and Donald Trump has been particularly aggressive towards this initiative.

Trump Strikes Back with the Threat of Tariffs

American President Donald Trump does not hide his hostility towards the BRICS, which he accuses of wanting to weaken the dollar. He has explicitly threatened to impose a 150% tax on imports from countries he deems responsible for this attempt to challenge the American financial system. “Any BRICS state that mentions the destruction of the dollar will be sanctioned,” he reiterated, casting doubt on the magnitude of his reprisals.

However, the position of the BRICS remains nuanced. But, contrary to American accusations, the bloc is not seeking to destroy the dollar, but to acquire payment alternatives to reduce its dependence. Could the United States still impose these sanctions? However, the answer depends on the interpretation of the BRICS decisions: if payments in local currencies or via BRICS Pay intensify, will that be enough to trigger Washington’s anger?

One of the key issues will be to see if Brazil can protect itself from these measures by insisting that it is not advocating for a single BRICS currency. A gray area remains, and the coming months will be decisive in determining whether the American threat will remain rhetorical or translate into concrete actions.

The duel between the BRICS and the United States illustrates a profound mutation of the global economy. If 50 countries actually adopt the BRICS payment system, it would mark a significant reduction in dollar dominance and a realignment of economic forces. The concern of the United States is therefore justified: a massive adoption of an alternative system would weaken their monetary control leverage. The whole question is whether Brazil and its allies will be able to withstand American pressure without provoking an open trade war. The BRICS summit in July 2025 will undoubtedly be the stage for a new episode of this confrontation, against the backdrop of a possible reconfiguration of the global economic order.