China has announced a new economic partnership plan for the BRICS bloc, positioning itself at the forefront of a growing trade standoff with the United States.
The move comes amid escalating
tensions between Washington and the group of emerging economies, which includes
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Tariffs and Trade Tensions
The Trump administration, which
returned to office in January 2025, has threatened to impose tariffs of up to
150% on imports from BRICS nations. The group has been actively pursuing
policies to reduce reliance on the US dollar in global trade—a strategy that
has drawn sharp criticism from Washington.
In response, China has unveiled
plans to establish a "China Center for BRICS Special Economic Zones
Cooperation", aimed at strengthening economic ties within the bloc.
A New Hub for BRICS Trade
Vice Minister of Commerce Wang
Shouwen announced that the first center would be based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Province, and serve as a platform for "international exchange and economic
collaboration."
"The initiative will
enhance our collective resilience against unilateralism and
protectionism," Mr. Wang said in a statement reported by the Global Times,
a state-affiliated newspaper.
A Challenge to Dollar Dominance
The BRICS bloc has been
accelerating efforts to move away from the US dollar in trade settlements, with
member states increasingly using local currencies.
The Trump administration has
repeatedly warned against such moves, framing them as a threat to global
financial stability. However, BRICS leaders argue that reducing dollar
dependency will protect their economies from US sanctions and trade pressures.
What Comes Next?
Analysts say China’s latest
move signals a more coordinated BRICS pushback against US trade policies.
"The US is trying to
assert dollar dominance, but BRICS is building an alternative financial
ecosystem," said Dr. Li Wei, an economist at Renmin University in Beijing.
"This could redefine global trade dynamics."
The White House has yet to
respond to the announcement.
BRICS accounts for over 40% of
the world’s population and 25% of global GDP.
The group has expanded in
recent years, with new members including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt.
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