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.
China’s foreign ministry on Monday reaffirmed that BRICS—a coalition comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—is not pursuing a confrontational path, following US President Donald Trump’s threat of extra tariffs on any nation aligned with the bloc.
In a clear response to recent US trade aggression, ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning emphasized that “trade and tariff wars have no winners and protectionism offers no way forward.”
Trump, reacting after BRICS leaders condemned his earlier tariff moves at the summit’s Rio de Janeiro gathering, vowed on his social platform to send an initial set of letters—up to 15—warning of snapback tariffs if trading partners failed to reach new deals. He also threatened a further 10 percent levy on any countries perceived as siding with BRICS, accusing them of “anti‑Americanism.”
China, defensive yet strategic, stressed that BRICS remains “an important platform for cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries.” Mao characterized the alliance as promoting “openness, inclusivity and win‑win cooperation”, adding: “It does not engage in camp confrontation and is not targeted at any country.”