'Ready to resist': Russia blasts Trump over 'unlawful' US tariffs on Global South nations

In a sharp rebuke, Russia on Monday (August 4) accused the US of clinging to global dominance through a “neocolonial” strategy, particularly targeting nations in the Global South with economic pressure.

The criticism follows President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of new tariffs on countries like India and Russia.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the US is grappling with the decline of its global hegemony and resorting to “politicised economic pressure” against nations that refuse to align with its foreign policy.

Zakharova described the Trump administration’s tariff policies as a “direct encroachment” on national sovereignty and an “attempt to interfere” in the internal affairs of other countries. She warned that such measures threaten global trade and economic stability.

Zakharova then reiterated Russia’s commitment to fostering a fair and multipolar world order, expressing readiness to collaborate with Global South partners, including BRICS nations and new members like Egypt, Iran, and Indonesia, to counter unilateral sanctions and promote a balanced international system. She also criticised Western “protectionism,” noting that the imposition of tariffs contradicts the free trade principles once championed by the West.

Addressing Washington’s tariff policies targeting key Global South partners, Zakharova remarked, “Sanctions and restrictions have unfortunately become a defining feature of the current historical period, impacting countries across the globe. Unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order, Washington continues to pursue a neocolonial agenda, employing politically motivated economic pressure against those who choose an independent course on the international stage.”

She further elaborated, “This approach runs counter to the very principles of free trade once championed by Western nations. Instead, we now witness politically driven protectionism and the arbitrary imposition of tariff barriers. Brazil, our strategic partner in Latin America and the Caribbean, is one of the main victims of this policy. Such actions by the United States represent a direct infringement on the sovereignty of other nations and an attempt to interfere in their internal affairs. Beyond these concerns, this policy risks slowing global economic growth, disrupting supply chains, and deepening the fragmentation of the international economic system.”

Zakharova underscored Russia’s resilience, stating, “We firmly believe that no tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history. We are supported by a vast number of partners, like-minded states, and allies, particularly among the countries of the Global South and, above all, within #BRICS, who share this perspective.” She concluded by affirming Russia’s readiness to deepen cooperation with these nations to resist “unlawful unilateral sanctions” and shape a “genuinely multipolar, just, and equitable international order.”

Trump’s threat to India

The tensions intensified with Trump’s latest statement on Monday, posted on Truth Social, where he announced plans to “substantially raise” tariffs on India for purchasing “massive amounts of Russian Oil” and selling it on the open market “for big profits.”

Trump claimed India’s actions disregard the human cost of the Ukraine conflict, stating, “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”

India, in response , staunchly defended its energy policy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday rejected criticism from the US and the European Union as “unjustified and unreasonable.” The MEA stressed that India’s oil imports from Russia are driven by the need to ensure affordable and predictable energy costs for its consumers, asserting the country’s sovereign right to prioritise national interests and economic security.