 "‘Tariffs serve none’: China plays down Trump-Brics row, says bloc not seeking confrontation")
Shortly after President Donald Trump threatened to impose an extra 10 per cent tariff on countries aligning themselves with the “anti-American policies” of the Brics group, China on Monday said that the bloc, which also including Brazil, Russia and India, is not seeking “confrontation".
“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," News 18 report quoted Mao Ning, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, as saying.
Beijing also defended the grouping as “an important platform for cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries".
“It advocates openness, inclusivity and win-win cooperation," Mao added.
“It does not engage in camp confrontation and is not targeted at any country," she said.
Earlier, taking to Truth Social, President said the US will impose an additional 10% tariff on any countries aligning themselves with the “Anti-American policies” of the Brics group of developing nations, whose leaders kicked off a summit in Brazil on Sunday.
His comments came after the Brics bloc condemned the increase in tariffs without naming Trump.
In a joint statement from the opening of the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro released on Sunday afternoon, the group warned the rise in tariffs threatened global trade, continuing its veiled criticism of Trump’s tariff policies.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWith forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive “America First” approach of the US president, the Brics is presenting itself as a haven for multilateral diplomacy amid violent conflicts and trade wars.
Hours later, Trump warned he would punish countries seeking to join with the grouping.
“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 said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump did not clarify or expand on the “Anti-American policies” reference in his post.
Trump’s administration is seeking to finalise dozens of trade deals with a wide range of countries before his July 9 deadline for the imposition of significant “retaliatory tariffs”.
Trump said he would send the first tariff letters to various countries on Monday, days before his deadline for trading partners to reach a deal expires.
He said he would send a first batch of up to 15 letters today, warning that the US levies on imports would snap back to the high levels he set in April if countries failed to make agreements.
Created two decades ago as a platform for rapidly developing economies, Brics has increasingly come to be viewed as a China-led alternative to the influence of the United States and Western Europe.
Initially made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the group expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025.
With inputs from agencies
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