Russian Foreign Ministry responds to Trump's threats against BRICS

The BRICS countries' cooperation is not directed against other states and is exclusively creative in nature. Thus, the Department of Information and Press (DIP) of the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on US President Donald Trump's threats to impose duties against the BRICS countries in case they create an alternative to the dollar.

"It (cooperation between the BRICS countries - Ed.) <...> is focused on strengthening the socio-economic, innovative and human potential of its participants," the department said in a commentary for theKommersantnewspaper on February 7.

The Foreign Ministry's press service also drew attention to the key role of the financial sphere in the interaction between the countries of the association. It is noted that the BRICS members seek to create a sustainable mechanism that meets the interests of developing countries.

"All BRICS states are determined to achieve tangible results in this area," the ministry added.

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On January 30, Trump said the US would impose import duties of 100% against the BRICS if the association tries to replace the dollar in global trade. He emphasized that the U.S. will not allow the dollar to be replaced in international trade and warned that countries that make such attempts will face tough trade measures.

The Kremlin, for its part, noted the next day that BRICS is not talking about creating a new currency. Instead, according to Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, members of the organization are discussing the creation of joint investment platforms.

On January 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that Trump's statements about duties for BRICS and withdrawal from a number of agreements show by what methods the U.S. side will promote its interests. According to him, Washington's interests on the world stage remain unchanged regardless of who holds the presidency - Democrat or Republican. The main goal is to always surpass its competitors, Lavrov emphasized.

BRICS is an interstate association of countries. On the eve of the summit in Kazan, held from October 22 to 24, 2024, 35 applications were received for joining the association. On January 1, 2025, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan joined as partners. Later it became known about the membership of Nigeria and Indonesia.