Mao said BRICS advocates openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation.
“It is not a bloc for confrontation nor does it target any country,” she said.
Mao was responding to a question on Trump’s threat to impose additional 10 per cent tariffs on countries aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of the grouping of the emerging economies.
Referring to Trump’s tariff hike threats, she said China has made its position clear.
“Trade and tariffs have no winners and protectionism leaves nowhere,” she said.
Trump said on Monday that “any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10 per cent 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.
His comments came after the BRICS bloc condemned the increase of tariffs without naming Trump. Leaders of the BRICS are meeting in Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit on July 6-7.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025. PTI KJV NSA NSA