President Xi urges BRICS unity against US trade wars

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on BRICS nations to unite against trade challenges posed by the United States, warning that Washington’s tariff battles have disrupted the global economy and undermined international trade rules.

Addressing a BRICS leaders’ meeting convened by Brazilian President Lula da Silva via video link, Xi said “hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism” were on the rise, and urged members to jointly defend multilateralism and the global trading system. Without naming the US, his remarks were widely seen as aimed at Donald Trump, whose tariffs on China, India, Brazil and Russia unsettled emerging markets.

Xi pressed BRICS, representing nearly half the world’s population and 30 per cent of global GDP, to strengthen solidarity, reform global governance and give the Global South a stronger voice. He warned that no country could afford “self -imposed isolation” in an interconnected world economy.

Highlighting his Global Governance Initiative, Xi said BRICS should push for a fairer system that curbs US dominance, promotes openness, and ensures equal participation for developing nations.

Calling BRICS a “giant ship” capable of braving turbulent waters, Xi said deeper cooperation in business, finance, science and technology would make the bloc more resilient to external risks and deliver tangible benefits to their people.