China will persist in enhancing collaboration with its BRICS partners despite the potential imposition of tariffs by US President-elect Donald Trump, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian on Tuesday.

Trump has recently indicated that BRICS nations could face 100% tariffs on their exports to the United States if they attempt to establish a new currency or support an existing one as a competitor to the US dollar.

The BRICS group originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but expanded in January to incorporate Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Approximately 30 additional countries have shown interest in joining this coalition of emerging economies.

This group serves as a significant platform for collaboration among developing markets, aiming for comprehensive development and prosperity rather than engaging in “bloc confrontation” or targeting any third parties, Jian emphasized during a briefing on Tuesday.

“China is prepared to continue collaborating with BRICS members to enhance practical cooperation across various sectors and contribute to the sustained and stable growth of the global economy,” the spokesperson remarked.

In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that he would request BRICS nations to commit to not creating a common currency or supporting any alternative currency to the dominant US dollar, warning that failure to comply would result in 100% tariffs on their goods entering the United States.

Trump has pledged to utilize tariffs as a means to address US trade deficits, compel overseas manufacturers to return, and achieve various geopolitical objectives.

In June 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that the members of the bloc were exploring the potential establishment of an international reserve currency. This announcement followed the imposition of sanctions by Western nations related to Ukraine, which effectively severed Russia’s access to the dollar-based financial system.

In 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his support for the development of “a trading currency” within the bloc, drawing a parallel to the European Union’s creation of the euro.

However, last month, Putin remarked that it was premature to discuss a unified BRICS currency, emphasizing that the member economies required further development and integration before such a step could be considered.

In response to threats from Trump, South Africa also clarified on Sunday that there were no plans within the bloc to introduce a new currency.

Instead, the BRICS nations have committed to establishing a cross-border payment system that would operate alongside the Western SWIFT network and promote the use of local currencies in international trade.