Ramaphosa deplores Trump threat to ‘punish’ BRICS’ countries – Watch

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Ramaphosa deplores Trump threat to ‘punish’ BRICS’ countries – Watch

9:19 CAT | 08 Jul 2025

Screen grab: The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa/Youtube

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat of higher tariffs on BRICS nations, saying efforts to “punish” the bloc were disappointing.

Trump accused the 11-nation grouping — which also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China — of “anti-Americanism” and vowed to impose an extra 10 percent tariff on them after they slammed his levies at a summit in Rio De Janeiro.

“BRICS does not seek to compete with any other power,” Ramaphosa told South African public broadcaster SABC.

The bloc advocates for “the emergence of various centres of power in the world”, Ramaphosa said, adding it was “disappointing” that some “see it in negative light and want to punish those who participate in this”.

“There should never be vengeance. There should never be retribution against countries that are seeking to cooperate together and to advance the interests of humanity,” he said.

The grouping, conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, drew Trump’s ire on Sunday after voicing “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff” measures in a summit joint statement.

Trump also announced he would send on Monday a first batch of letters announcing high tariffs on up to 15 countries that had failed to reach trade agreements with the United States.

“It cannot be that might should now be right,” Ramaphosa said.

Brazil’s leadership of #BRICS and #COP30 together with South Africa’s Presidency of the #G20 provides an opportunity to send a strong signal of unity and solidarity in support of the rights and interests of developing economy countries.

~ My remarks at the BRICS Leaders’ Summit… pic.twitter.com/5GCB5ErBQQ

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 8, 2025

🇿🇦His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa has concluded his working visit to Rio de Janeiro in the Federative Republic of Brazil where he was attending the XVII BRICS Summit. pic.twitter.com/BbAfylbPYh

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 8, 2025