Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Tariff Threats Against BRICS Allies

*President calls for development cooperation to guide international relations.

By Once Noticias. Mexican Press Agency.

President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected Washington’s threat to impose a 10 percent tariff on countries that ally themselves with the BRICS bloc of emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

“We do not agree; the relationship should be one of cooperation for development. This is our position not only out of conviction but also because it is established in our Constitution,” the President explained.

She also noted that a final proposal regarding tariffs on Mexico is currently being developed throughout July and part of August, in coordination with Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard and other relevant stakeholders.

Sheinbaum recalled the two main proposals Mexico has presented during the three BRICS summits it has participated in:

To allocate at least 1% of global military spending to a program similar to Sembrando Vida (Sowing Life), aimed at global reforestation and support for farmers.
To hold an international summit on economic development for well-being.
The President also made a distinction between economic growth and economic development.
“Economic growth refers primarily to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is a way to measure the economy, but it does not reflect wealth distribution or people’s well-being. That’s why we speak of sustainable economic development that does not harm the environment and promotes well-being,” she emphasized.