Nigeria’s fragile economy may face further strain if former U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to impose an additional 10% tariff on countries aligning with BRICS.
BRICS, an informal alliance of emerging economies, originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In 2024, six more countries—Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia—joined the group, expanding its influence.
On Sunday, Trump criticised the BRICS bloc, declaring on his Truth Social platform:
“Any country aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.”
Nigeria formally became a BRICS partner country in January 2025, following its admission during the 16th BRICS Summit in October 2024.
President Bola Tinubu, currently in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is attending the 17th BRICS Summit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, based on Nigeria’s new partner country status—one level below full membership.