Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Brazil, July 28 – Brazil will not give in to US President Donald Trump's trade threats; on the contrary, it will deepen its commitment to the BRICS bloc, presidential advisor Celso Amorim told the international press.
He also asserted that the attacks from Washington only strengthen Brazil's will to diversify its global alliances.
On July 9, Trump announced his intention to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian products starting in August, in response to what he considers a judicial persecution against his ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
He also threatened to apply a general 10% tax to all BRICS member countries, which he accuses of seeking to weaken the dollar as the global reserve currency.
Amorim described these threats as unprecedented political interference, even "greater than what existed in colonial times," and asserted that Trump is trying to operate within Brazil on behalf of Bolsonaro. In response, he reaffirmed that Lula's government will not submit to any country and will continue to strengthen its relations with the Global South.
The BRICS, originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, added Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Iran in 2024, and Indonesia in 2025. Currently, countries such as Bolivia, Cuba, Nigeria, and Vietnam are listed as partner states. The bloc represents 40% of global GDP and almost half of the global population.
Brazil holds the rotating presidency of the group in 2025 and hosted its 17th summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6 and 7, under the motto "Strengthening Global South cooperation for more inclusive and sustainable governance." (Text and Photo: Cubasí)
