Leaders of the BRICS bloc are gathering in Rio de Janeiro for a high-stakes summit where they are expected to voice strong opposition to the latest wave of U.S. tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump. While the group aims to deliver a firm message against Washington’s trade policies, internal divisions especially over conflicts in the Middle East are complicating efforts to present a fully united front.
The summit brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with newly admitted members like Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Collectively, these countries account for nearly half of the global population and 40% of the world’s economic output.
Sources familiar with the summit say a joint statement is being prepared to condemn the uncertainty caused by the U.S. trade approach. Trump, since returning to office in January, has issued threats of new import tariffs aimed at both allies and rivals. Another round of tariff hikes is expected to be officially communicated to trading partners on July 9. While the U.S. is unlikely to be mentioned directly in the BRICS statement, the criticism is widely seen as targeting Washington.
The absence of two prominent leaders China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has also drawn attention. Xi, attending for the first time via a representative, reportedly stayed away to avoid political awkwardness, particularly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi being honored during the event. Putin, under indictment by international courts, is expected to join virtually.
Tensions over the Middle East are also straining consensus. Iran, still reeling from a brief but intense conflict with Israel, is pushing for the summit to take a firmer stance on the Gaza crisis and wider regional unrest. However, not all members agree on how far the bloc should go in its messaging, and no final agreement had been reached as of early summit discussions.
Aside from geopolitics and trade, the agenda also includes topics such as artificial intelligence and global healthcare challenges.
Brazil, hosting the summit, hopes to use the platform to boost its global influence. This year alone, the country will also host the G20 and COP30 summits, setting the stage for President Lula da Silva’s potential re-election campaign next year.
Despite differences, Brazilian officials believe the group can still find common ground on key global issues and continue speaking with a unified voice on matters affecting the Global South.
