Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on BRICS nations to unite against protectionism and uphold the principles of free trade. Speaking at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, Wang emphasized the importance of multilateralism in ensuring global economic stability.
“The United States is pursuing unilateralism and placing its own interests above international public interests,” Wang said. “Having benefited immensely from free trade, it is now using tariffs as a weapon to impose unfair demands on other nations.”
Wang warned that compromising in the face of such tactics would only encourage further aggressive behavior. “If we choose to stay silent and compromise, it will only embolden the bullies to push further,” he cautioned.
He urged the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to jointly oppose all forms of protectionism. “We must firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core,” Wang stated.
The meeting in Rio de Janeiro brought together foreign ministers from the BRICS nations to discuss strategies for promoting economic cooperation and addressing global challenges. Wang’s remarks highlighted China’s commitment to working with other emerging economies to defend free trade and multilateralism.
