‘Unable to accept erosion of its dominance’: Russia slams Trump’s tariffs; hails Brics-Global South unity

Russia has accused the United States of pushing a "neocolonial agenda" after President Donald Trump announced substantial hike in tariffs on the global south. In a sharp rebuke, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the move reflected Washington’s inability to cope with a shifting global order.

"Sanctions and restrictions have unfortunately become a defining feature of the current historical period," Zakharova said in response to a media query on the US decision to tighten tariffs against countries in the Global South.


"Unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order, Washington continues to pursue a neocolonial agenda, employing politically motivated economic pressure against those who choose an independent course on the international stage."

Zakharova asserted that no sanctions or tariff wars would stop the evolution of the international system. "Nonetheless, we firmly believe that no tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history. We are supported by a vast number of partners, like-minded states, and allies, particularly among the countries of the Global South and, above all, within Brics, who share this perspective," she said.

Zakharova accused the United States of violating the very principles of free trade it once championed, pointing to what she called "politically driven protectionism and the arbitrary imposition of tariff barriers." She named Brazil—Russia’s strategic partner in Latin America—as one of the main victims of such policies, and said these actions amount to interference in other countries' internal affairs and pose a broader threat to global economic stability.

"We stand ready to deepen cooperation with them to resist unlawful unilateral sanctions and to help shape a genuinely multipolar, just, and equitable international order,” Zakharova said.

Her remarks came in response to Trump’s statement on Truth Social, where he accused India of profiting from reselling Russian oil and declared that the US would “substantially raise the tariff paid by India.”

India has pushed back strongly, calling the criticism "unjustified and unreasonable." The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said that India’s imports are driven by national interest and energy security, and pointed to ongoing US and EU trade with Russia in energy and other sectors.