Beijing (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 10% tariff on BRICS-aligned countries, stating that it opposes using tariffs “as a tool to coerce others.”
During the BRICS summit in Brazil, US President Donald Trump cautioned on Sunday that any country supporting the ‘anti-American policies” of the BRICS nations will be subject to an extra 10% tariff. BRICS comprises Brazil, China, Russia, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE.
In response Chinese Foreign Minister released a statement condemning the imposition of tariffs, repeated that restrictive trade measures “serve no one” and that “there are no winners in a trade war.”
How did BRICS leaders respond to U.S. trade policy?
Leaders of the expanding BRICS coalition of developing countries gathered in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, reaffirming their dedication to multilateral diplomacy. During his opening speech, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, “We are witnessing the unparalleled collapse of multilateralism.”
He also criticised NATO, accusing it of driving a worldwide arms race after it announced a defense spending goal of 5% of GDP late last month.
BRICS nations also criticised US President Donald Trump’s “indiscriminate” tariff policy. They expressed
“serious concerns about the increase of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and violate WTO rules,”
Arguing that these measures
“impact global economic development prospects.”
What prompted Trump’s warning to BRICS-aligned nations?
In a joint statement issued at the start of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday afternoon, the group cautioned that increasing tariffs could threaten global trade, subtly criticising Trump’s tariff policies.
Hours later, Trump threatened to punish nations attempting to join the bloc.
“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.
