President-elect Donald Trump has issued a direct threat to BRICS countries, demanding they abandon any plans to create a new currency.

If they do not comply, Trump stated that he would impose a brutal 100% tax on their goods and permanently remove them from the U.S. market. The warning came as BRICS, led by Russian President Vladimir Putin, his close enemy, seeks alternatives to the U.S. dollar, which Trump has made clear he will not tolerate.

In a passionate post on Truth Social, the president stated, “The idea that BRICS countries are trying to move away from the dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER.”

He bluntly demanded that these countries commit to abandoning any plans for a BRICS currency or any other system designed to replace the dollar. "If they refuse," Trump warned, adding that:

"They should expect to say goodbye to selling into the great American economy. They can go find another 'fool'! There is no chance for BRICS to replace the U.S. Dollar in International Trade, and any country trying to do so should wave goodbye to America."

A global battle for currency control

Throughout his campaign, Trump emphasized the idea that the U.S. dollar must remain the world's reserve currency. He has called any efforts to challenge the dollar a direct threat to the U.S. economy. What is his reaction? To make anyone trying to face dire financial consequences.

Trump's team is currently brainstorming ways to punish countries that trade in currencies other than the dollar. According to insiders, options on the table include labeling countries as currency manipulators, enforcing strict export controls, and imposing heavy taxes on them.

The goal is simply ridiculous: to make abandoning the dollar so costly that no one dares to try. BRICS has voiced their dissatisfaction with the dollar's dominance.

Especially after U.S. sanctions on Russia in 2022 clarified the extent of leverage that the U.S. holds through its currency. At the annual summit hosted by Putin in October this year, BRICS leaders discussed 'de-dollarization.'

Is a trade war imminent?

Trump's strategy is not limited to BRICS. He threatens everyone. In the past week, he outlined a plan to impose a 10% tariff on goods from China and a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada.

These tariffs are related to broader issues, including illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The president stated he would implement these measures if those countries did not strengthen their efforts to protect the U.S. border.

The impact of Trump's threats has been felt. The markets are unstable, and currencies like the Canadian dollar have been affected. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rushed to Florida to meet Trump after the tariff announcement.

During a three-hour dinner at Mar-a-Lago, the two leaders discussed trade projects, border security, and energy, including the Keystone XL pipeline, which was canceled under the Biden administration.

Trudeau brought along Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief of Staff Katie Telford. On the U.S. side, the dinner included key Trump allies such as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick. Despite the talks, no solutions have been reached, and Trump's tariff threats remain on the table.

Putin: Russia is not abandoning the dollar, but the U.S. is abandoning Russia

Meanwhile, Putin is actually pushing back against the narrative that Russia is trying to abandon the dollar. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club earlier this month, Putin stated that Russia never chose to abandon the dollar—it was forced to do so.

"We are simply being denied the use of the dollar as a payment tool," he said, blaming the Biden administration for weaponizing the currency. He criticized America for weakening its own currency, calling this decision "foolish."

Theo Putin, đồng đô la là nền tảng của sức mạnh Hoa Kỳ và việc mạo hiểm sự thống trị của nó có thể phản tác dụng. Ông nói rõ rằng Nga không chủ động cố gắng thay thế đồng đô la mà đang chuẩn bị cho một thế giới mà đồng đô la không còn thống trị nữa.

"We are not struggling with the U.S. currency," he added. Instead, Russia is developing new tools and systems to adapt to the changing global economy.

For Trump, all of this is irrelevant. Whether the BRICS countries are actively trying to replace the dollar or not, his stance is clear: any move away from the dollar will face serious consequences.

The situation is unstable. Trump hasn't even taken office yet, and his threats have already shaken global markets. You can only imagine the impacts when he follows through.