World leaders from the BRICS coalition convened in Rio de Janeiro for the 17th annual summit, concluding their two-day meeting with a strongly worded joint declaration that underscored deep concerns over rising global trade barriers and escalating geopolitical tensions. While the communiqué refrained from directly naming United States President Donald Trump, the language used left little doubt regarding the source of the bloc’s discontent.
The five-member bloc — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — explicitly criticised the increasing use of tariffs in international trade. The declaration warned that such protectionist measures are “inconsistent with WTO [World Trade Organization] rules” and have the potential to “reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.” The statement marked one of the most unified critiques by the bloc against rising unilateralism in global trade practices.
Although not explicitly mentioned, President Trump’s policies remain a central concern for the group. Trump, in a statement issued on his proprietary social media platform late Sunday, warned that any country aligning with what he termed “the Anti-American policies of BRICS” would be subject to an additional 10% tariff. This is in addition to prior threats to impose up to 100% tariffs on the bloc should they pursue alternative global payment systems perceived to undermine the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
Amid heightened international tensions, the BRICS declaration also noted “grave concerns” over ongoing military conflicts, making reference to Israeli military operations in the Middle East. However, the group’s language remained measured, with only one mention of Ukraine — an omission many analysts interpret as a diplomatic compromise aimed at preserving cohesion within the bloc. Russia, a key member and principal party to the conflict in Ukraine, continues to face broad international condemnation. President Vladimir Putin addressed the summit via videoconference, maintaining his strategy of limited international travel following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The absence of President Xi Jinping was another notable aspect of the summit. This marked the first time since 2012 that the Chinese leader has missed a BRICS gathering. No official explanation was provided for his absence, though senior Chinese officials were present and participated in the summit’s proceedings.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who hosted this year’s summit, articulated a broader criticism of global militarisation trends. At the opening session, Lula challenged NATO’s recent pledge to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP annually by 2035, stating, “It is always easier to invest in war than in peace.” The sentiment was incorporated into the summit’s final declaration, which emphasised the need for prioritising development and peace-building over militarisation.
Despite the bloc’s generally assertive tone, Brazil’s position during the summit reflected a strategic balancing act. According to Professor Ana Garcia of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil sought to steer the conversation towards less divisive subjects, such as expanding intra-BRICS trade and strengthening cooperation in global health. The aim was to avoid attracting retaliatory measures from Washington, especially in the form of punitive tariffs.
“Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,” said Garcia. Her remarks align with Brazil’s broader diplomatic approach, which has been increasingly focused on safeguarding domestic economic interests amidst global political polarisation.
The summit also revisited last year’s initiative, introduced by Russia during the Kazan meeting, to develop alternative international payment frameworks. While the concept of reducing reliance on Western financial infrastructure remains on the agenda, it has been treated cautiously in light of Trump’s stated threats to impose severe tariffs on any such attempts.
The BRICS group, originally formed to promote multipolarity and cooperation among emerging economies, now finds itself navigating a complex landscape of shifting power dynamics. This year’s summit underscored the group’s evolving role as both a forum for policy alignment and a geopolitical counterweight to traditional Western institutions.
As global economic and political tensions continue to intensify, the BRICS bloc’s ability to maintain unity while asserting a cohesive global vision remains a critical question for the years ahead.
