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Lula tells Trump world does not want an ‘emperor' after US threatens Brics tariffs

Lula tells Trump world does not want an ‘emperor' after US threatens Brics tariffs

The Herald08-07-2025
A Kremlin spokesperson said Russia's cooperation with the Brics was based on a 'common world view' and 'will never be directed against third countries.'
India did not immediately provide an official response to Trump.
Many Brics members and many of the group's partner nations are highly dependent on trade with the US. New member Indonesia's senior economic minister, Airlangga Hartarto, who is in Brazil for the Brics summit, is scheduled to go to the US on Monday to oversee tariff talks, an official told Reuters. Malaysia, which was attending as a partner country and was slapped with 24% tariffs that were later suspended, said it maintains independent economic policies and is not focused on ideological alignment.
With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and Trump's disruptive 'America First' approach, the Brics group has presented itself as a haven for multilateral diplomacy amid violent conflicts and trade wars.
In a joint statement released on Sunday afternoon, leaders at the summit condemned the recent bombing of member nation Iran and warned the rise in tariffs threatened global trade, continuing its veiled criticism of Trump's tariff policies.
Hours later, Trump warned he would punish countries seeking to join the group.
The original Brics group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China at its first summit in 2009. The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as members.
Saudi Arabia has held off formally accepting an invitation to full membership, but is participating as a partner country. More than 30 nations have expressed interest in participating in the Brics, either as full members or partners.
Reuters
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