BRICS Nations Set to Condemn Trump’s Tariffs Amid Deep Divisions Over Middle East

RIO DE JANEIRO, 5 July 2025 (BSS/AFP): Leaders of BRICS nations meeting in Rio de Janeiro from Sunday are expected to issue a strong rebuke of US President Donald Trump's hardline trade policies, even as the bloc grapples with internal disagreements over conflicts in the Middle East.

Representing around half the global population and nearly 40 per cent of the world’s economic output, the BRICS group – comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with recent members such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Indonesia – is poised to denounce what it sees as unfair US trade practices.

Sources familiar with summit discussions say that diplomats from the bloc's 11 member nations have been working on a unified statement criticising the destabilising impact of unilateral US tariffs. However, the final communiqué is expected to stop short of explicitly naming the United States or President Trump.

“While the tone will be cautious, the message will be unmistakable,” said Marta Fernandez, director of the BRICS Policy Centre at Rio’s Pontifical Catholic University. “It’s unlikely the US will be mentioned directly, but the criticism will clearly point in that direction.”

Trump's Trade Pressure Mounts

Since taking office in January, President Trump has pursued a confrontational trade agenda, threatening allies and rivals alike with sweeping import tariffs. His latest move involves tariff notification letters due to be sent out beginning Friday, with new duties – reportedly ranging from 10 to 70 per cent – expected to take effect on 9 July.

Though some nations have negotiated partial reprieves, including the UK and Vietnam, many economies, including BRICS members, remain concerned about economic uncertainty and trade disruption caused by these policies.

Diplomatic Dilemmas: China’s Delicate Position

Despite the collective criticism, China remains wary of escalating tensions with Washington, particularly following recent talks that led to a partial easing of tit-for-tat tariffs.

“This may not be the right time for China to provoke further friction with the United States,” Fernandez noted. Beijing has thus urged a measured approach to avoid derailing its fragile trade truce.

Adding to the diplomatic complexity is the unexpected absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is missing the summit for the first time in his 12 years in office. His decision to send Premier Li Qiang in his place is seen as a blow to host President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil.

Analysts, including Ryan Hass of the Brookings Institution, believe Xi’s absence may be due to several factors – including his recent bilateral talks with Lula in Beijing, and a desire not to be overshadowed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is attending the summit as a guest of honour and will be treated to a state lunch.

Putin Absent, but Present

Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, will also miss the summit in person but is set to participate via video link, according to the Kremlin.

Middle East Fault Lines

Although BRICS aims to present a united front, the group remains deeply divided on how to respond to ongoing crises in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Gaza war and recent conflict between Iran and Israel.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose country is still recovering from a 12-day military exchange with Israel, will not attend the summit. However, Iranian negotiators are pushing for a stronger, more explicit statement of solidarity with Palestine — beyond the bloc’s usual calls for a two-state solution and peaceful resolution of disputes.

According to sources, other member states remain hesitant, preferring to maintain a more neutral stance to preserve broader unity within the bloc.

Brazil’s Global Ambitions

For host nation Brazil, the BRICS summit is a key moment on the global stage. President Lula hopes to use the event to strengthen Brazil’s leadership in international affairs. The country is set to host the G20 summit, the COP30 climate conference, and now the BRICS summit — all before its 2026 presidential elections.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said he hopes BRICS can agree on a common position even on the bloc’s most sensitive issues. “BRICS nations have historically spoken with one voice on key international matters,” he told AFP. “There’s no reason we can’t do the same this time regarding the Middle East.”

Other Topics on the Agenda

Beyond trade and geopolitics, the summit will also address pressing global challenges such as artificial intelligence, global health, and South-South cooperation.

While the absence of two of its most influential leaders — Xi and Putin — will undoubtedly blunt the summit’s political impact, BRICS still seeks to demonstrate its growing influence as a counterweight to Western-led institutions.

Yet the bloc’s expanding membership has introduced new internal divisions that make consensus more elusive — especially on issues that cut across regional, religious, and strategic interests.