BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Monday urged BRICS nations to reject all forms of trade protectionism and defend multilateral cooperation, in remarks seen as a pointed rebuke to US tariff policies that have widened since Donald Trump began his second term.
Addressing a virtual BRICS summit, Xi stressed the need to safeguard the international economic order, calling on member states to support the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in defending the multilateral trading system.
“The international economic and trade system must be sustained,” Xi said, urging members to work together for “mutual benefit” rather than unilateral measures.
Observers note the irony that China — a one-party state with a tightly controlled economy — has increasingly positioned itself as a champion of free trade, while the United States — long seen as the standard-bearer of open markets — has relied heavily on tariffs, sanctions and protectionist measures under Trump.
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Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described BRICS as “an important platform for solidarity and cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries.”
He said that amid “rising unilateralism and protectionism,” the bloc’s members sought to “jointly safeguard multilateralism, defend fairness and justice, promote common development, and become a positive and stable force for good in international affairs.”
Lin added that China was ready to work with partners to deepen BRICS cooperation, reform global governance structures and promote “an equal and orderly multipolar world” alongside a “universally beneficial and inclusive globalisation.”
Lin also condemned Washington after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions targeting Central American citizens and their families who engage in cooperation with China.
“That once again reflects how the US is accustomed to bullying the ‘small guys’ in international relations,” Lin said. He accused Washington of harbouring a “deep-seated ideological bias and Cold War mentality,” while warning that “weaponising visas will not scare off the sober-minded.”
China, he said, “deplores and firmly opposes the US’s baseless vilification, coercive diplomacy and blatant interference” in its ties with Central American nations.
