The BRICS alliance—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—convened in Rio de Janeiro to address pressing global developments. In a joint statement, the member states expressed concern over increasing tariffs and escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding the situation in Iran. However, no direct mention was made of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has recently imposed several trade restrictions.
The final communiqué labeled the rise in tariffs as a serious threat to global trade, warning that such measures could disrupt supply chains and increase economic instability.
The group also condemned Israel’s military actions but notably refrained from criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine, instead referring to the conflict in vague, general terms.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took the opportunity to criticize NATO’s recent decision to increase defense spending, arguing that such investments favor war over peace.
Despite tackling key geopolitical issues, the summit fell short of broader expectations due to the absence of key leaders. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend, nor did leaders from Iran and Egypt, casting a shadow over the event’s influence and visibility.
