Vietnam joins BRICS as partner country
Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson, Pham Thu Hang, said in a press conference on Thursday that the country is "ready to coordinate and connect the cooperation programs of the BRICS group with relevant multilateral mechanisms, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, as well as in the world."
She also said the country is willing to work with other members in areas such as trade and investment.
BRICS was originally made up of the five emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It has since expanded to 11 members, including Middle Eastern nations, such as Iran and Egypt.
Some Southeast Asian countries, which are strengthening economic ties with China, have also shown interest in joining the bloc.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has threatened BRICS members that try to use their own currency for financial transactions. He says these nations could face 100 percent tariffs if they move away from the US dollar.
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