US threatens India : Quit BRICS and bow to the dollar or face 50 percent duty

(BRICS is a grouping of emerging economies with significant regional influence. It mainly includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.)

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick

New York (USA) – On 5 September, US President Donald Trump expressed his so-called concern that India was drifting away from America. Now an official of his own administration has once again launched a verbal attack on India. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that for the 50 percent import duty on India to be lifted, it is not enough for India to merely stop buying Russian oil. In addition, it must walk away from BRICS, expand trade with America and support the US dollar.

Lutnick also claimed that the strain in relations with India has caused no harm to America. He was speaking to the US daily Bloomberg.

🚨 US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick threatens India:
“Leave BRICS, stop buying Russian oil, support the US & the Dollar… only then will we remove the 50% tax!”

America’s tantrums won’t work!

India’s growth isn’t hostage to America’s conditions. 🇮🇳#AtmanirbharBharat… pic.twitter.com/RuDT2onSD5

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) September 6, 2025

When asked about India’s recently improved ties with China, Lutnick described it as “bravery.” However, he went on to add that “India will return to America within two months.” For this, he cited the example of Canada. After Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on America, its GDP fell by 1.6 percent. Eventually, Canada reduced the tariffs. Similarly, India too will have to back down.

He further said, “I believe that within one or two months India will be ready to talk. India will apologise and try to reach an agreement with Trump, and that too on Trump’s terms.”