Senior diplomats from BRICS countries are meeting in Brazil this week. Their goal is to create a strong, shared response against the trade policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting comes at a critical time for the global economy.
The talks started Monday in Rio de Janeiro. Officials from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are laying the groundwork for a major leaders’ summit planned for July. This year, new members like Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have joined the BRICS group. Together, these nations now represent about half of the world’s population and nearly 39 percent of the global economy.
The gathering follows a warning from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which cut its global growth forecast. The IMF said Trump’s new tariffs are disrupting world trade and slowing economic activity.
Focus on Free Trade and Global Stability
Brazil’s BRICS envoy, Mauricio Lyrio, said ministers are working on a shared statement. It will stress the importance of a fair and open global trading system. Lyrio explained that the group wants to show strong support for multilateralism and reject rising protectionism.
The event is hosted by Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Key figures like Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi are attending. The first day of talks began around 11:00 am local time (1400 GMT), with a joint statement expected later.
The discussions reflect growing global concern over Trump’s trade actions. Since his return to office in January, Trump has imposed a 10 percent tariff on goods from many countries. China has been hit even harder, with tariffs reaching 145 percent on certain products. In return, China placed tariffs of up to 125 percent on American goods.
Trump also warned he may slap 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations if they try to weaken the U.S. dollar’s dominance.
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Climate Change and Global Challenges Also on the Agenda
The BRICS ministers are not only focusing on trade. Climate change is another big topic. The meeting aims to build a shared position for the United Nations COP30 summit in Belem, Brazil, this November. The city sits in the heart of the Amazon region, a key area for global climate action.
Brazil has placed special importance on climate issues. As the world’s largest tropical forest holder, Brazil wants BRICS to help lead global climate efforts. The ministers will discuss how to increase investment in green technology and sustainable development.
Ukraine Conflict and Diplomacy
Another important subject is the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump has recently stepped up efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. While few details are public, BRICS leaders are watching closely.
Russia, a founding member of BRICS, remains a central player in the conflict. Diplomatic moves by BRICS countries could shape future peace talks. Some members like China and South Africa have already called for negotiations instead of more fighting.
Analysts believe that BRICS may offer support for peaceful solutions. This could help the group expand its diplomatic influence on the world stage.
Expanded BRICS and Broader Diplomacy
The BRICS bloc is growing. On Tuesday, ministers will be joined by representatives from nine additional “partner” countries. These include former Soviet states, along with Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Nigeria.
This expansion shows BRICS’ ambition to create a bigger voice for developing countries. With the inclusion of these nations, the group’s influence could stretch even further across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Experts suggest that a larger BRICS could challenge existing global institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. By working together, BRICS nations want to push for a world order that is fairer and less dominated by Western powers.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
The world is watching closely to see what will come out of the Rio meeting. With global trade already strained, a strong BRICS position could either ease tensions or create new divides.
Global markets have been jittery. Investors fear that a deeper rift between the U.S. and BRICS could hurt global supply chains. Economists are warning of slower global growth if trade conflicts worsen.
However, a united BRICS could also offer new opportunities. If the group strengthens trade among its members, it could boost regional economies and create new investment paths.
Trade between BRICS countries already reached nearly $550 billion last year. With closer cooperation, that number could rise sharply in the next few years.
