Donald Trump Threatens BRICS

“The idea that the BRICS countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER”, Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday. 

 

The BRICS nations will be hit with 100% tariffs on their goods if they try to introduce a reserve currency to rival the Dollar, the US President-elect warned. He has repeatedly threatened to use tariffs to achieve his geopolitical goals.

 

“They can go find another ‘sucker’!” Trump (right) continued. “There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the US Dollar in international trade, and any country that tries, should wave goodbye to America”. 

 

Trump shouldn't threaten. Just do it, if he dares!

 

In any case, the fact remains that BRICS have not announced any plans for a reserve currency at their summit in the Russian city of Kazan last month. So, the question of replacing the Dollar doesn't arise. However, the bloc pledged to set up a cross-border payment system to function alongside the Western SWIFT network, and to increase their use of local currencies in international trade.

 

Using local currencies to settle bilateral trade bills “helps to keep economic development free from politics”, Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) said at the time. Obviously, he was referring to the US proclivity to weaponise the Dollar and its accompanying payment system.

 

Note: It is pertinent to highlight that countries or entities fall within the jurisdiction of US authorities if they: 

 

■ Use the Dollar in transactions, 

■ Want to access the US bond or stock market, 

■ Use US-registered financial institutions of any sort as intermediaries, 

■ Use US interbank payment systems, 

■ Use US-based internet servers of IT facilities, 

■ If US-registered intellectual property is involved and licensed, 

■ If any US commercial entities are involved, or 

■ If US nationals are involved.

 

 

Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-0 to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday.

 

Thanks to a Mohamed Salah cross, Cody Gakpo sneaked in at the far post in the twelfth minute to put the Reds into a well-deserved lead. 

 

And in the 78th minute, Salah converted a penalty, following a foul by a Citizens player on Luis Diaz.

 

It could and should have been more. The goals, I mean. Anyway, what's important is the three points in the bag for Liverpool. 

 

In the meantime, the English champions sit fifth in the table, eleven points behind.