Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Commenting on the US' recent announcement to impose a 50 percent tariff on Brazil starting August 1, while criticizing the perceived unfairness of Brazil-US trade and demanding that Brazil immediately cease its domestic political "persecution," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Friday that sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs are fundamental principles of the UN Charter and basic norms of international relations. 

Tariffs should not be used as tools for coercion, bullying, or interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, Mao noted.

Global Times