Trump named Spain as a BRICS country
U.S. President Donald Trump, signing his first decrees as head of state, named Spain as a BRICS country, the event was broadcast on YouTube by WUSA9 on January 21.
After a reporter in attendance asked Trump what Washington would do with NATO countries that have too low defense spending, Trump cited France and Spain as examples.
"Spain has [defense spending] very low. And they're also a BRICS country, right? They're a BRICS country, Spain," Trump responded.
The politician noted that he is going to impose 100 percent duties against the countries of the association, although he does not believe that BRICS poses a threat to the United States.
Earlier, on January 21, Trump said that he would seek to ensure that the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.
Prior to that, on January 20, economic observer Cyrus Janssen said that the global economy will undergo major changes in 2025 amid the BRICS expansion. The columnist noted that the new member states bring their unique set of resources that could make BRICS "one of the most powerful trade alliances in the world."
The Financial Times reported on December 20, 2024 that the new U.S. president will require NATO member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. He also plans to continue military aid to Ukraine.
BRICS is an interstate association of countries. On the eve of the summit in Kazan, held from October 22 to 24, 2024, 35 applications were received for joining the association. On January 1, 2025, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan joined as partners.
