In a recent press appearance with Argentine President Javier Milei, Donald Trump surged forward with a striking assertion: “Everybody dropped out. They’re all dropping out of BRICS…” he said, claiming that his threat of punitive tariffs forced countries to abandon the grouping.
The focus keyphrase here — Trump BRICS claim — demands we examine the context, the evidence, and the larger geoeconomic story.
What Trump is claiming
- Trump, in his Trump BRICS claim, described the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + newer members) as ‘an attack on the dollar,’ and said he warned any country that wants to join will face tariffs.
- He asserted that because of this warning, numerous nations either withdrew from BRICS or decided not to join — ergo, “they’re dropping out”.
- He is using this narrative to portray the United States as dominant and unchallenged — a part of his broader “Make America Great Again” style messaging.
What the facts show
1. No countries have dropped out
Contrary to Trump’s statement, independent fact-checks confirm that no full member has left BRICS. The bloc has in fact expanded, not collapsed.
For example:
- Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE became full members in early 2024.
- Indonesia joined as a full member in 2025.
- Additional countries are in the “partner” category (e.g., Bolivia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan), showing interest in joining rather than withdrawing.
2. Expansion shows the opposite of withdrawal
Rather than nations fleeing the bloc in fear of US tariffs, the list of members and partner-countries is rising.
Example:
- As of early 2025, partner states total 10, and full membership hits 10.
- New entrants and aspirants reflect increasing interest from the Global South.
3. Experts and former diplomats reject Trump’s claim
For instance, former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal responded:
“No one has dropped out. Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE are members of BRICS. No one has dropped out.”
Similarly, Kremlin officials rejected the notion that the bloc is collapsing or that it has plans for a new currency to dethrone the dollar.
Why the claim matters
- Geoeconomic significance: BRICS represents a grouping of major emerging economies that challenge Western-dominated economic institutions. A shrinking BRICS would weaken that narrative; expansion strengthens it.
- Dollar dominance: Trump’s framing connects to the US desire to maintain the global role of the US dollar. He equates BRICS’ actions with a threat to US financial power.
- Tariff diplomacy: Using tariffs as a geopolitical tool, Trump’s claim signals a shift toward using trade levers as foreign policy weapons.
- Domestic rhetoric: Domestically, the claim serves to bolster the idea that Trump delivered for America — “I made them back down” — even if in reality the bloc remains strong.
What is really going on with BRICS?
- Expansion and outreach: While Trump claims countries are leaving, BRICS is recruiting. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam and Cuba are partner-states, expressing interest.
- De-dollarisation efforts: Rather than disappearing, BRICS seems more intent on reducing reliance on the US dollar and US-dominated systems. For example, bilateral trade in local currencies is increasing.
- Diverse agendas: Not all BRICS members share identical goals — for instance, India has publicly clarified it has no interest in undermining the dollar.
- Challenges within the bloc: Though growing, BRICS does face coordination issues and divergent national agendas — but that is a far cry from collapse.
So, what should we conclude about the Trump BRICS claim?
- Trump’s statement that “everyone dropped out of BRICS” is factually incorrect.
- The claim appears to serve rhetorical and strategic purposes rather than reflecting reality: a way to project strength, to show US dominance, and to use trade threats as diplomacy.
- The reality is more nuanced: BRICS is growing, not shrinking; the US dollar remains dominant but faces emerging challenges; and the global South is seeking alternatives to existing Western-centric systems.
- While the US may apply pressure (tariffs, trade levers), those measures have not yet forced the demise of BRICS. Instead, they may be encouraging greater cooperation among emerging economies.
Final thoughts
The focus keyphrase — Trump BRICS claim — reflects a broader truth: in geopolitics, narrative often competes with fact. When Donald Trump asserts that nations are dropping out of BRICS, the data shows the opposite. Rather than serving as a victory lap, his claim appears to mask shifting global dynamics in which power is less anchored in the West and more dispersed.
The US still wields enormous economic and financial power — but it faces growing pushback and new alignments. For analysts and watchers, the takeaway is clear: ignore bold statements until they are backed by corroborating facts. And when a major world leader proclaims “they all dropped out,” it’s wise to look closely — because in this case, they haven’t.
For more on current events, check out our full coverage of The Real Story Behind Protests and stay updated on the latest developments.
