President-elect Donald J. Trump has warned the BRICS Alliance that in the event that they proceed with a program of De-Dollarization, the U.S. will impose punitive tariffs.  The Alliance comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa with the recent addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.  The concept of De-Dollarization by which nations would pay for imports and exports in other than USdollar denomination was initiated in 2022 by Russia following imposition of financial sanctions.

A proposed tariff of up to 100 percent on imports to the U.S. would impose hardship on many of the members of the recently expanded BRICS Alliance and would dissuade further moves towards replacing the U.S. dollar.

Pronouncements from the President-elect and interaction with foreign leaders suggests that the incoming Administration is effectively functional before the official inauguration in January 2025, making a “lame duck” Administration into a bird with advanced botulism.