As global trade tensions escalate, leaders of the BRICS bloc gathered in Rio de Janeiro this weekend for a pivotal summit aimed at reinforcing their collective influence and rejecting what they describe as harmful unilateralism—particularly from the United States.
The two-day summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, brought together high-ranking representatives from the 10-member bloc, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly added members such as Iran, Egypt, and the UAE. The gathering comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country “aligning” with BRICS.
Lula opened the summit with a stark warning about the state of global governance.
“We are witnessing the unparalleled collapse of multilateralism,” he said. “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to help bring it up to date.”
Trump, meanwhile, lashed out at the group on his Truth Social platform, declaring, “Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.”
While the BRICS leaders avoided direct references to Trump in their final communique, the statement took aim at protectionist economic practices: “We express serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules.” The language was widely interpreted as a clear rebuke of U.S. trade tactics.
The summit also addressed ongoing global conflicts, strongly condemning Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran and voicing “grave concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “We reiterate our grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the statement said, underscoring BRICS’ support for a two-state solution.
However, the group remained notably silent on Russia’s war in Ukraine, offering only a condemnation of “Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil.” Russian President Vladimir Putin, attending via video link due to an outstanding International Criminal Court warrant, emphasized that “the model of liberal globalization is becoming obsolete.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed the call for reform in global leadership, stating, “BRICS must lead the Global South in an increasingly multipolar world.”
As more than 30 countries seek entry into BRICS, the Rio summit signals the bloc’s growing ambition to reshape global order—despite rising pressure from Washington.
