Following Donald Trump’s warning about tariffs on countries backing BRICS, China voiced its opposition to protectionist measures. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, defended the BRICS alliance and criticized the use of tariffs for political leverage. Trump’s statement, published on Truth Social, proposed a 10% tariff on nations backing what he termed ‘anti-American’ BRICS policies, although the specific policies were not identified. This announcement came as the US government prepared to send out tariff-related communications to various countries. The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is focused on shifting global power and creating a more multi-faceted global structure. Trump’s statement came as the BRICS summit was underway in Brazil, where member nations jointly expressed worries regarding the increasing use of unilateral tariffs. Ongoing trade discussions between some BRICS members, such as India, and the US could be jeopardized by Trump’s statement. In the past, Trump has warned of high tariffs against BRICS nations that supported a common currency. Experts have cautioned that Trump’s tariff policies could result in higher costs for American consumers, possibly prompting price increases.
