Russia has attacked the Trump administration’s newly announced tariffs sharply, claiming the U.S. is following a “neocolonial” plan to maintain its worldwide dominance.
Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said Washington was using “politically motivated economic pressure” against Global South countries deciding to follow independent paths and promised Russia would strengthen ties with allies—especially within the expanded BRICS bloc—to fight “unlawful unilateral sanctions.”
Zakharova said the sanctions and tariffs represent a regrettable reality and show how the U.S. rejects a multipolar world. According to her, Trump’s trade policies targeted Russia’s Global South allies constituted meddling in national sovereignty.
Her comments followed former President Trump’s announcement of major new taxes on dozens of nations by several days. Accusing India of profiting by reselling Russian oil on the open market, the U.S. also stated plans to greatly raise tariffs on Indian imports of it.
India retaliated, reminding Washington that it first promoted such imports and chastised detractors of hypocrisy as many of them continue to trade with Moscow for non-critical purposes.
Moscow emphasized BRICS as a major venue for constructing an alternate world order, noting that it presently includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.
Zakharova cautioned that U.S. policies threaten to undermine world growth, supply chains, and the tenet of free trade.
