Beijing has swiftly and sternly responded to US President Donald Trump's latest threat of additional 10% tariffs on BRICS nations, asserting that the bloc is not seeking confrontation and that such measures serve no constructive purpose. The move comes after Trump issued a sharp warning on his Truth Social platform, targeting countries aligning with what he termed "anti-American policies" of the BRICS group.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Monday, emphasized that "the use of tariffs serves no one" and reiterated Beijing's firm opposition to tariffs being used as a tool of political coercion. "We oppose tariffs being used as a tool to coerce others," the ministry added, signaling a clear pushback against Trump's protectionist rhetoric. 🥊
Trump's pronouncement followed the recent BRICS 2025 Summit in Brazil, where member states, including new additions like Egypt and the UAE, adopted a declaration that, while not directly naming the US, criticized "unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures" as distorting trade and inconsistent with WTO rules. This condemnation appears to have directly triggered Trump's latest tariff threat. 🗣️
Beijing stressed that the BRICS bloc, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and its newer members, is fundamentally about cooperation and inclusive development, not geopolitical rivalry. "BRICS is not about confrontation but building a more balanced and inclusive global order," the foreign ministry affirmed. 🤝
The prospect of additional tariffs has sent ripples across global markets, raising concerns about potential disruptions to supply chains and further uncertainty in international trade. Economists widely agree that sustained steep tariffs would likely push up prices and hinder global economic growth. 📉
As the July 9th deadline for the potential re-imposition of some US tariffs looms, and with Trump indicating that "tariff letters" are being dispatched to various countries, the international community watches closely. The ongoing trade tensions between the US and major economic blocs like BRICS underscore the continuing challenges to a stable and rules-based global trading system. ⚖️
