China slams Trump’s BRICS tariff threats, defends group’s role

China’s foreign ministry has strongly responded to US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose additional tariffs on countries affiliated with BRICS, defending the group as a platform for openness and cooperation among developing nations.

“There are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war and protectionism has no future,” the ministry said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Trump made the comments in a July 6 post on his Truth Social platform, warning that an additional levy would apply to any country “aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS.” He added that there would be no exceptions.

The BRICS grouping, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran—bringing the total to 11 member states.

“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,” said Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, during a press briefing on July 7. 

"On the US tariff hikes, China has made its position clear more than once. Trade wars and tariff wars have no winners, and protectionism leads nowhere, she added.

Trump also announced that he would begin issuing tariff letters or unveiling new trade deals on July 7, as the end of his self-imposed 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs approaches.

Beijing and Washington recently reached a partial trade agreement under which the US eased certain restrictions while China accelerated its rare earth exports.

By Sabina Mammadli