At a recent meeting of BRICS foreign ministers and partners in Brazil, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi posed five critical questions to the international community, challenging the United States’ widespread use of tariffs against its trading partners.
“As the United States wields its ‘tariff stick’ worldwide, every country has a decision to make,” Wang Yi said, addressing fellow ministers. He questioned whether the world would allow a regression into “a lawless jungle where might makes right,” and if nations would accept that “one country’s self-interest may override the collective good of all others.”
Wang Yi’s five questions highlighted concerns about the erosion of international rules and the potential dominance of unilateral hegemony. “Shall we stand idle as international rules are trampled and discarded?” he asked. “Will any nation truly be able to protect its own interests through compromise and flinching?”
The Chinese foreign minister urged countries to consider whether they would “submit to a unipolar hegemony bent on dominance, or forge a multipolar world built on equality and order.” He emphasized that history does not favor regression and that justice remains at the heart of the people.
Regarding the ongoing trade tensions, Wang Yi stated, “China’s stance on the trade war is clear and resolute. If it is imposed upon us, we will fight to the end. If negotiation is sought, it must be based on equality and respect.”
He underscored that China’s efforts are not solely about defending its own legitimate rights but also about safeguarding the shared interests of all nations. “What China upholds is not just mutually beneficial cooperation, but the integrity of international rules,” Wang Yi said. “What China stands for is not merely its national dignity, but a world where fairness and justice prevail.”
The meeting in Brazil provided a platform for BRICS members and partners to discuss global challenges and reinforce their commitment to multilateralism and equitable international relations.
