The authorities of China and South Africa have both responded to United States President Donald Trump’s tariff threat against countries that align with BRICS.
Trump on Sunday threatened to impose a 10% tariff on any country that aligns with what he described as BRICS’ anti-American policies.
The threat came after the BRICS had initially criticised Trump’s trade policies, saying they threaten world trade.
Responding to Trump’s tariff threat at a press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning asserted that the BRICS’ statement wasn’t confrontational.
Mao also emphasized BRICS’ commitment to openness and mutual benefit, rejecting Trump’s claim that the bloc’s policies are anti-American.
Mao said: “BRICS is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets in developing countries. It advocates openness, inclusiveness, and willing cooperation. It is not a bloc for confrontation, nor does it target any country.”
Mao added that China has consistently opposed protectionism and warned that trade wars benefit no one.
“Trade wars and tariff wars have no winners, and protectionism leads nowhere,” Mao concluded.
Similarly, the government of South Africa, through its trade ministry spokesman Kaamil Alli, said that the country remains committed to deepening economic ties with Washington.
“We still await formal communication from the U.S. in respect of our trade deal, but our conversations remain constructive and fruitful. As we have communicated previously, we are not anti-American,” he said.
Recall also that Trump had revealed that he would begin sending out tariff letters, or announcing new trade deals on July 7, as a 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariff plan draws close. He argued that tariffs were necessary to force fairer trade agreements and revive U.S. manufacturing.
