The White House has affirmed that U.S. policy does not ask partners to choose between the U.S. and other countries, including the BRICS nations. “The U.S. does not want to limit countries’ partnership with other countries,” said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS group, and around 70 leaders have been invited to the economic bloc’s summit in August.
White House on US Partners’ Interest in Joining BRICS
While House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked in a press briefing on Monday about U.S. partners seeking membership in the BRICS economic bloc. The BRICS group comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
“Algeria and Egypt, which are two partners of the U.S. … have applied to join BRICS … and represents kind of a non-alignment force that stands against, kind of, Western hegemony. So how do you feel about this development? Do you welcome this?” she was asked.
Noting that countries should “speak on their own about their diplomatic engagement,” Jean-Pierre replied: “We lead in our engagement with an affirmative agenda focused on demonstrating the benefits of our governance and economic models.” The White House press secretary added:
U.S. policy does not ask our partners to choose between the United States and other countries. We have repeatedly emphasized that the U.S. does not want to limit countries’ partnership with other countries. But we want countries to have choices on how to deliver results to their citizens as well.
Interest in the BRICS economic bloc has soared, with more than 40 countries interested in joining as more and more nations seek to de-dollarize. According to South Africa’s diplomat in charge of BRICS relations, 22 countries have formally applied.
South Africa, the host of the BRICS summit this year, has sent out invitations to 69 leaders, including all African heads of state and the heads of major Global South bodies. No invitation has been sent to the leaders of Western countries, including France even though French President Emmanuel Macron had expressed interest in attending the summit.
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