"Chinese President Xi Jinping urges opposition to American protectionist measures"

U.S. protectionism faces opposition from Xi Jinping

In July 2023, the Brics group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several new members including Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, gathered for their annual summit in Rio de Janeiro. The event took on the character of a crisis summit, with the group expressing "serious concerns" about unilateral tariffs and trade-distorting measures.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who convened the meeting, referred to these tariffs as "tariff coercion," a practice he believes is being normalized as a means of market conquest and interference in internal affairs. His sentiments were echoed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who urged the member states to maintain the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as its core.

Xi also emphasized the need to continue promoting the construction of an open world economy, while simultaneously calling on the member states to resist protectionism, in response to the trade policies of US President Donald Trump.

The Brics countries, which account for approximately half of the world's population and 40 percent of global economic output, have faced unjustified and illegal trade practices, as stated by President Lula. These practices have left them feeling like victims of such actions.

Following the Brics countries' statements, Trump accused them of being hostile to the US and threatened additional tariffs. Despite this, the Brics alliance, founded in 2009 with the aim of reducing the geopolitical dominance of the US and Europe and creating a multipolar world order, remains steadfast in its mission.

The newest members added to the BRICS alliance since 2023 include Saudi Arabia and five other countries, though the exact names of the additional members are not detailed in the available information. The Brics countries continue to navigate the complexities of the global trade landscape, seeking a more equitable and open system for all nations.