Peter Navarro Calls BRICS Nations ‘Vampires’, Targets India’s Social Media Influence
Former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro has stirred controversy by branding BRICS nations as “vampires,” accusing them of draining the U.S. economy through what he described as “unfair” trade practices.
Navarro’s comments came as BRICS leaders convened virtually to discuss tariffs imposed by then-President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, Navarro asserted that BRICS countries cannot sustain themselves without access to U.S. markets.
“None of these nations can survive without selling to the U.S. When they do, it’s like vampires sucking our blood dry with their unfair trade practices. I don’t see how BRICS stays united—they’ve historically disliked each other,” Navarro remarked.
The former White House official also criticized India for imposing steep tariffs, warning that New Delhi would eventually need to strike a trade deal with Washington. He cautioned that aligning with Russia and China could backfire on India.
“India has what I call ‘Maharaja Tariffs’—the highest against the U.S. It never bought Russian oil before the Ukraine invasion. The good news is we’ve secured strong deals with the EU, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia. These countries realized they were taking too much advantage and need our markets. India will have to come around. If not, siding with Russia and China won’t end well,” Navarro said.
Navarro also took a jab at India’s online influence, mocking its social media presence.
“India has the largest population in the world, and all it can do is manage a few hundred thousand X propagandists to sway a poll? Too funny. America, take note of how foreign interests exploit our social media to push their agenda,” he posted on X.
Meanwhile, amid strained trade negotiations, Trump appeared to soften his tone toward India.
After previously claiming the U.S. had “lost India to Russia and China,” Trump reassured that the U.S.-India relationship remains strong.
“I will always be friends with Modi—he’s a great Prime Minister. We get along very well. He visited a couple of months ago, and we had a great time at the Rose Garden,” Trump said.
Prime Minister Modi responded warmly, expressing appreciation for Trump’s remarks.
“Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the U.S. share a forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” Modi wrote on X.