Russia: U.S. Wields Tariffs, Sanctions to Undermine Countries’ National Sovereignty

(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the United States on Monday of wielding tariffs and sanctions as tools to undermine countries’ national sovereignty, insisting that neither "tariff wars" nor sanctions can derail 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 an official statement.

She charged that Washington refuses to accept the decline of its global dominance amid a shifting multipolar world order, continuing to enforce a neocolonial agenda aimed at preserving its status.

Zakharova underscored the US’s use of "politicized levers of economic pressure" against competitors, stating: "This US policy is a direct attack on the national sovereignty of states and an attempt to interfere in their internal affairs." She warned these tactics threaten to slow global economic growth, disrupt supply chains, and contribute to worldwide economic fragmentation.

Highlighting the rising economic pressure on countries such as Brazil, she pointed out this approach contradicts the "free trade" principles once championed by Western nations.

"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," Zakharova added.

She affirmed Moscow’s commitment to deepening cooperation with these nations to resist "illegal unilateral sanctions pressure" and to promote a "truly multilateral, fair, and equal world order."

At the same time, US President Donald Trump has criticized BRICS countries Brazil and India, calling their actions a threat to the dollar, and announced plans to impose more tariffs on them.

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