DIRCO willing to engage with US Govt amid Trump’s currency threat


2 minutes

The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) says it’s willing to engage with the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump if given an opportunity.

This after Trump posted on social media a warning to BRICS nations that he would require commitments that they would not create a new currency as an alternative to using the US dollar.

He also repeated threats for a 100% tariff levy.


DIRCO’S spokesperson Crispin Phiri says the department has noted Trump’s social media post.

“There is this misconception and it’s not quite clear where it comes from that there’s something called a BRICS currency or there’s work being done towards a BRICS currency and nothing could be further from the truth. If you look at the BRICS declaration, you will not find the word BRICS currency or even de-dollarization – as some people have framed the discussion. It’s actually a discussion that says as BRICS nations, we should be able to trade with each other in our own local currency. It’s the country’s sovereign right to ensure that it trades with its own currency, and I think that’s something that we will stand by and that’s something we’ll continually pursue.

Trump sends strong message to BRICS nations: