US uses tariffs, sanctions to attack countries' national sovereignty: Russia

ISTANBUL

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday that the US uses tariffs and sanctions to attack countries' national sovereignty, adding that no "tariff wars" or sanctions can alter the "natural course" of history.

"Sanctions and restrictions are a regrettable reality of today's historical stage, which affects the entire world," Zakharova said in a statement.

"Washington cannot come to terms with the loss of hegemony in the emerging multipolar world order and continues to pursue a neocolonial policy in an attempt to maintain its position," she noted.

She emphasized that the US is using "politicized levers of economic pressure" against its rivals, stating: "This US policy is a direct attack on the national sovereignty of states and an attempt to interfere in their internal affairs." It also poses risks such as slowing economic growth, causing supply chain damage, and global economic disintegration.

She said the increasing economic pressure on some countries, including Brazil, runs counter to the "free trade" approach previously promoted by Western countries.

"We believe that no tariff wars and sanctions can do anything about the natural course of history. We have a huge number of partners, like-minded people, and allies who share this approach among the countries of the Global South and, first and foremost, BRICS," she added.

Zakharova declared that Moscow is willing to strengthen cooperation with those countries in order to counter "illegal unilateral sanctions pressure" and establish a "truly multilateral, fair, and equal world order."

US President Donald Trump has criticized the BRICS governments of Brazil and India, saying that "it's an attack on the dollar," and has announced that additional tariffs will be imposed on these countries.