Trump's Tariff Policies Bolster BRICS De-Dollarization Efforts Amid Smithsonian Statue Call

What Happened

President Trump, on Friday, September 11, 2026, publicly requested the Smithsonian Institution install a 30-foot-tall statue of George Washington outside its National Museum of American History (NMAH). He also called for a new exhibit honoring the first president, suggesting the replacement of the existing “Infinity” statue. Concurrently, BRICS leaders convened in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, amidst ongoing US tariff policies. Trump's administration has consistently applied aggressive tariffs, including a 10 percent tariff threat last year on countries aligning with what he termed BRICS's “anti-American policies.” This includes a 25 percent tariff imposed on various Brazilian products in July, impacting billions in exports, despite the US running a trade surplus with Brazil. These actions are viewed by some analysts as inadvertently strengthening the incentives for BRICS nations to reduce their dependence on US economic infrastructure.

What the Evidence Establishes

Evidence establishes that the BRICS bloc, comprising 11 members including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, is actively pursuing strategies to diminish reliance on the US financial system. These nations collectively represent nearly half the world's population and approximately 40 percent of global gross domestic product. Specific initiatives include South Africa connecting to China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) for direct renminbi transactions, and Brazil and China increasingly settling bilateral trade in their national currencies. India and the UAE have also conducted transactions in rupees and dirhams, while China and Russia have significantly shifted their bilateral trade away from the dollar. The New Development Bank (NDB), established by original BRICS members, has set an explicit strategic objective to conduct 30 percent of its financing in local currencies, with a potential increase to 40-50 percent by the 2027-2031 cycle. Despite these efforts, the US dollar maintained its overwhelming dominance, accounting for 57.1 percent of global foreign-exchange reserves in the first quarter of 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund, while the Chinese renminbi held only 2 percent.

Where the Accounts Conflict

The provided accounts do not present direct conflicts regarding factual claims but rather offer distinct focal points. The Hill and Operative Telegram Feed both corroborate President Trump's specific request on September 11, 2026, for a 30-foot George Washington statue and an accompanying exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, replacing the “Infinity” statue. These sources focus exclusively on this cultural and symbolic directive. In contrast, Al Jazeera's analysis, published on September 12, 2026, centers on the geopolitical and economic ramifications of the Trump administration's tariff policies on BRICS nations. It details the bloc's ongoing efforts to reduce dollar dependence and the potential for US coercion to inadvertently strengthen these initiatives. While the statue request is a domestic cultural policy, the BRICS developments represent a significant international economic and geopolitical trend. The absence of conflicting details across these disparate topics suggests they are separate, albeit contemporaneous, actions by the Trump administration, each with its own set of implications.

Context and Stakes

The context for BRICS nations' de-dollarization efforts is rooted in the perceived vulnerability associated with dependence on US-centered economic infrastructure. The dollar's centrality grants the US significant structural advantages, allowing it to use access to its markets, financial system, and currency as instruments of political leverage. This includes restricting market access, imposing sanctions, and scrutinizing alternative payment systems like Brazil's Pix. The stakes are high for both the US and BRICS members. For the US, continued aggressive use of financial tools risks eroding the very foundation of its global economic power by incentivizing alternatives. For BRICS countries, reducing dollar dependence offers protection against such vulnerabilities, increasing their ability to maneuver between competing global powers without necessarily seeking to replace one hegemon with another. While internal divisions exist within BRICS, such as the Iran-Saudi Arabia regional conflict or the India-China border dispute, the common incentive to mitigate US financial coercion provides a unifying economic objective.

What to Watch Next

Observers will closely monitor the outcomes of the ongoing BRICS leaders' meeting in New Delhi for further announcements regarding financial connectivity and local currency initiatives. Specifically, any concrete steps towards linking fast-payment networks or integrating central bank digital currencies, as discussed by Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra in August, would signal accelerated de-dollarization efforts. The New Development Bank's progress towards its 30-50 percent local currency financing target for the 2027-2031 cycle will also be a key indicator of the bloc's commitment. Furthermore, the Trump administration's future tariff decisions and any additional measures targeting countries reliant on Russian energy, such as China and India, will be critical. These actions could either intensify BRICS's resolve to seek alternatives or, if softened, potentially reduce the immediate urgency for such shifts. The Smithsonian Institution's response to President Trump's statue request will also be watched, particularly regarding the timeline and feasibility of replacing the “Infinity” statue and establishing a new exhibit.

Bottom Line

President Trump's recent actions, including a call for a George Washington statue at the Smithsonian and continued aggressive tariff policies against BRICS members, highlight divergent priorities and their unintended consequences. While the statue request is a domestic cultural initiative, the economic pressure on BRICS nations is inadvertently accelerating their strategic efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar and Western financial systems. Despite internal disagreements, the shared incentive to mitigate US financial leverage is driving BRICS members towards greater use of local currencies and alternative payment mechanisms. This gradual shift, though not immediately threatening the dollar's global dominance, represents a significant long-term challenge to the US-centric economic order by providing viable “escape routes” from potential coercion.