Brazil (TDI): The 17th BRICS Summit is being held in Rio de Janeiro from July 6-7, 2025 under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
This two day summit is marked by the absence of two very important and powerful members. China’s President Xi Jinping didn’t attend the BRICS summit for the first time.
Russia’s President Putin also spoke via video conference as he avoids international travelling due to the International arrest warrant issued after Russia invasion of Ukraine.
Takeaways from the Summit
A joint statement was released on Sunday in which the BRICS members reaffirmed their commitment towards multilateralism, defending international law, including the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
The document also expects the increased participation from developing nations particularly those in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in global decision making processes.
In an indirect response to US tariff policies, the declaration raised serious concerns about the rise of tariffs as it states that the trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and nontariff measures, or protectionism under the guise of environmental objectives directly threatens to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities and called it “inconsistent with WTO rules.”
Read More: Leadership Absence at BRICS Summit 2025: Xi and Putin to Skip Brazil Meeting
Moreover it also condemns the strikes against Iran that happened on 13th June without directly mentioning Israel or the United States. It also calls it a violation of international law and UN Charter as the strikes targeted “peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of IAEA”
In addition to this the declaration also raised “grave concerns” over the current situation in what they call as Occupied Palestinian Territory and the ban of humanitarian aid.
The document calls for adherence to the international law specially international humanitarian law, international human rights law and and condemns all violations of IHL which also includes the use of starvation as a warfare method.
What Trump said
In response to the joint statement by the BRICS that raised concerns over tariff policies, US President Trump reacted hours later and warned the countries joining the group.
“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
What is BRICS
The BRICS is an organization founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, later on Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, United Arab Emirates Ethiopia and Indonesia also became members.
It serves as both a political and diplomatic platform for countries to coordinate from the Global South.
The objectives of BRICS include strengthening economic, political, and social cooperation among its members and to increase the influence of Global South countries in international governance.
An IR student whose interest lies in diplomacy and current affairs and a part time debater
