China reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the BRICS group on Monday, even as Argentina’s likely next foreign minister suggested that her country might not join the bloc.
At the August BRICS summit in South Africa, Argentina was among six countries invited to join the BRICS coalition, which also includes Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa. The expansion is part of BRICS’ effort to challenge a Western-dominated global order. However, Diana Mondino, an economist expected to be appointed Argentina’s foreign minister under President Javier Milei, was quoted by Russia’s RIA news agency as saying that Argentina would not proceed with joining BRICS.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded by emphasizing BRICS as a crucial platform for emerging markets and developing nations to enhance cooperation and advocate for common interests. Mao stated, “BRICS is an open platform, and we welcome any interested country to become a member of the BRICS family,” though she claimed to be unaware of Mondino’s comments.
Javier Milei, a right-wing libertarian and China critic, won Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday. Both Milei and Mondino have expressed skepticism about the benefits of BRICS membership for Argentina, with Mondino noting that if future benefits are identified, they would reconsider.
China and Russia are championing the BRICS expansion as part of their broader strategy to counter Western economic influence. Alongside Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates were also invited to join the BRICS group at the summit.
