RIO DE JANEIRO—At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi challenged unilateral trade tactics and urged a united front for multilateralism.
Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, criticized the United States’ recent shift from a free trade proponent to a more protectionist stance. "Having long reaped enormous benefits from free trade, the United States is now using tariffs as leverage to extort exorbitant demands from other nations," he said.
He warned that silence and compromise risk emboldening such practices. "If one chooses to stay silent and compromise, it will only embolden the bullies to push further," Wang stated, urging BRICS members to resist all forms of protectionism.
With multilateral trade rules under strain, Wang emphasized the WTO-based system as the cornerstone for fair and predictable markets. Observers note that growing tariff barriers have already started to slow global trade momentum in key sectors like technology and manufacturing.
By joining forces, he argued, BRICS countries could uphold a rules-based trading regime, safeguard developing economies, and foster inclusive growth. The call to action resonates with businesses, tech innovators, and policymakers worldwide who rely on stable trade frameworks to drive investment and sustainable development.
As trade tensions ripple across continents, Wang Yi’s message underscores a pivotal question for young global citizens and entrepreneurs: Will multilateral cooperation prevail over protectionist tides to shape the next chapter of international commerce?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
