Chinese President Xi Jinping has described economic globalisation as an “irresistible trend of history,” emphasising the importance of multilateralism amid tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a virtual BRICS summit hosted by Brazil, Xi called for upholding multilateralism to “defend international fairness and justice,” according to a transcript released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“Hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism are spreading rapidly,” Xi said, adding that “trade wars and tariff measures by certain countries severely disrupt the global economy and undermine international trade rules.”

His comments come as U.S. tariffs and protectionist policies continue to roil international markets, with Washington seeking bilateral trade agreements, including with Beijing.

“We must safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law to strengthen the foundations of multilateralism,” Xi said.

He called for “openness and win-win cooperation to protect the international economic and trade order,” and reiterated that “economic globalisation is an irresistible trend of history.”

Xi stressed the need for inclusive globalisation, placing development at the centre of the international agenda, and ensuring that Global South countries participate as equals and share in the benefits of development.

Highlighting that BRICS nations account for nearly half of the world’s population, around 30% of global economic output, and one-fifth of global trade, Xi urged the bloc to work “more closely together.”

Beijing said it is ready to deepen cooperation with BRICS countries, leveraging their respective strengths in business, finance, science, and technology.

The BRICS bloc was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, holding its first summit in 2009, and later expanded to include South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

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