Amid rising tensions, South Africa rejects allegations of a BRICS currency and emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong, mutually beneficial trade ties with the United States, despite recent threats from Donald Trump.

South Africa’s government said there are no plans to create a so-called BRICS currency, after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on members of the economic bloc that back the creation of an alternative to the US dollar.

The president-elect’s warning against the BRICS nations suggests how confused the incoming administration is, says experts.