How Spain reacts to Trump's threat and Elon Musk's unexpected gesture
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Spain is part of BRICS, which is not true. His threat of 100% tariffs caused a stir.

Photo: wikipedia, CC0 1.0
Speaking from the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump made a statement that sparked wide reactions. The video was shared by correspondent Dori Toribio.
He mistakenly included Spain as a member of the international BRICS group, threatening all member countries with 100% tariffs on trade with the U.S. if they continue their course toward de-dollarization.
BRICS, founded in 2009, includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa and recently expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE.
Spain has never been part of this group, but Trump referred to it as a participant in his speech. "If Spain, as a BRICS country, continues to support de-dollarization initiatives, it will face 100% tariffs like the others," he stated.
The erroneous claim caused confusion among experts and observers. Spain, as a member of the European Union, has no ties to BRICS and does not participate in discussions related to de-dollarization or the creation of a unified BRICS currency.
Trump also expressed concerns about efforts by some BRICS nations, particularly Russia and China, to reduce dependence on the dollar. He noted that the U.S. would take strict measures to maintain the dominant position of its currency.
Meanwhile, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar confirmed that India does not participate in de-dollarization initiatives and called the U.S. an important trade partner.
Additionally, Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor Yolanda Díaz announced her decision to leave the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, as reported by The Independent.
The decision followed a provocative gesture by Elon Musk, the platform’s owner, at an event celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration.
During his speech at Capitol One Arena on Monday, Musk made a gesture that users likened to a Nazi salute. He also struck his chest, spoke about the "heart," and repeated the motion toward the American flag.
In an interview with TVE, Díaz explained that her decision was due to what she perceives as the platform’s algorithms promoting xenophobia and far-right ideologies, which she finds unacceptable as both a politician and a citizen.
Earlier, it was reported that Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on assuming office and expressed readiness for dialogue with the new U.S. administration, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis and strengthen international security.
It was also reported that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro proposed a plan aimed at achieving Puerto Rico's independence from the U.S., highlighting the importance of Simón Bolívar’s ideals and support from South American nations.