China calls for BRICS to counter unilateral trade, climate measures

China's Environment Minister Huang Runqiu called on BRICS countries to collectively rebuild the multilateral global order for trade and climate actions, addressing challenges posed by unilateral measures, such as tariffs and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, state media China Environment News reported April 6.

The US government has imposed increasing tariffs on commodities globally. Meanwhile, the CBAM is also expected to come into effect in 2026. China and its BRICS allies have expressed strong views on these developments, signaling escalating challenges in global climate collaborations and trade flows.

"A few countries are now breaching agreements, quitting alliances, adopting CBAMs and imposing tariffs on clean energy products. These unilateral trade practices have harmed the global progress of addressing climate change and hinder the transition to a green, low-carbon global economy," Huang said during the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 3, according to the state media.

"Amid the increasing challenges and uncertainties, BRICS should be more united, stick to the multilateral principle, and continue to defend and implement the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement," Huang said, adding that this is crucial for strengthening BRICS' collective influence and restoring a reasonable and equitable global order.

Huang underscored that BRICS collaboration is crucial for tackling issues related to supply chain decoupling and trade protectionism(opens in a new tab).

Huang also argued that China has established the world's largest clean steel production system, in addition to the world's largest clean power system and clean energy supply chains, emphasizing the country's efforts in addressing climate change. As the world's largest steel producer, China could be significantly affected by the EU's CBAM, which will impose a carbon price on steel imported into the EU.

BRICS currently includes 11 developing countries with some common political and economic interests, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

China Environment News is the mouthpiece of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Baku to Belem

India emphasized the importance of the UN's 30th Climate Change Conference to be hosted in Belem, Brazil, later this year, as a critical milestone for advancing global adaptation and resilience efforts, according to a separate statement from India's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change on April 3, concerning the same BRICS ministerial meeting.

"A key focus was the Baku to Belem Roadmap, aimed at securing $1.3 trillion in climate finance to support nationally determined contributions (NDCs)," the Indian government said in the statement.

On climate finance, India highlighted the urgent need for developed nations to fulfill their commitments, noting that the proposed $300 billion/year by 2035 under the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance committed at COP29 in Baku is far below the required $1.3 trillion, the statement said.

India also echoed China's call for BRICS to collectively strengthen engagements in multilateral forums, voice the interests of developing economies and advocate for a fair and equitable transition.