BRICS Responds: China Rejects "Confrontation" Amidst Trump's Tariff Threats

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BRICS Responds: China Rejects "Confrontation" Amidst Trump's Tariff Threats

China hits back at Trump's tariff threats, stating BRICS isn't about "confrontation" after the bloc condemned US-Israeli strikes and criticised rising tariffs at their recent Brazil summit.

Amidst rising global trade tensions, China has firmly pushed back against US President Donald Trump's recent threats of additional tariffs, asserting that the BRICS grouping is not seeking "confrontation." This comes after the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil, where the influential 10-member bloc issued a strong condemnation of US-Israeli military strikes on Iranian facilities.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, in a press briefing on Monday, reiterated Beijing's long-held position on trade and tariffs. "Regarding the imposition of tariffs, China has repeatedly stated its position that trade and tariff wars have no winners and protectionism offers no way forward," Ning stated, as reported by AFP. She further emphasised, "The use of tariffs serves no one," in comments reported by Reuters, highlighting China's strong opposition to tariffs as a tool of political coercion.

Trump's latest tariff warning appears to be a direct response to the BRICS 2025 Summit's joint statement. The summit, which included Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, unequivocally described the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities as "illegal" and called for adherence to international law. This marks one of the most robust joint condemnations of Western military action by the BRICS bloc to date.

Beyond the specific condemnation of the Iran strikes, the joint declaration from the BRICS nations also criticised the "indiscriminate rising of tariffs." While not directly naming the US, the group maintained that such actions could jeopardise global trade and destabilise international supply chains – a clear message aimed at recent protectionist policies. Trump, in turn, has accused the bloc of adopting policies that undermine American interests, warning that countries supporting such resolutions should be prepared for economic consequences.

The summit in Brazil also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with BRICS nations expressing significant concern over unilateral military actions. Reflecting the sentiments of the Global South, the group stressed the urgent need for peaceful solutions and criticised the escalation of violence in the region.

In a show of solidarity against terrorism, the BRICS declaration also condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, urging international action against the cross-border movement of terrorists and their financing networks.

The escalating trade rhetoric from the US comes as the administration approaches the end of a temporary pause on revised tariffs. Trump had previously announced a sweeping hike in tariff rates for all US trading partners on April 2nd, leading to considerable diplomatic backlash and stalled trade negotiations. A 90-day pause was granted, later extended until July 9th. Trump announced that he has prepared tariff letters for 12 countries, "signed and ready" to be issued on Monday at 12 PM EST.

The global community now watches closely to see the economic ramifications of these intensifying trade disputes and the potential for a further unraveling of international trade relations.(source-Hindustan Times)

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