BRICS Summit Set to Challenge U.S. Trade Policies Amid Key Absences, Global Divides

The upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, scheduled for July 6-7, is expected to see leaders from emerging nations denounce US President Donald Trump’s hardline trade policies, particularly the imposition of punitive tariffs. Diplomats from the 11-member bloc have drafted a statement condemning the economic uncertainty caused by these policies.

The summit’s agenda will also include discussions on artificial intelligence, health, and global governance reforms.

However, the meeting may be overshadowed by the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is skipping the annual gathering for the first time in 12 years.

Speculated reasons for his absence include a recent visit from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to Beijing and potential diplomatic sensitivities.

Other notable absentees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will participate via video link due to war crime indictments, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose nation is still reeling from a conflict with Israel.

The BRICS countries are struggling to find common ground on responding to the wars in Gaza and between Iran and Israel, with Iranian negotiators pushing for a tougher collective stance.

Despite these challenges, Brazil hopes to broker a united stance among BRICS nations on major international issues, including the Middle East.

The bloc’s expansion to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia has given it more potential international influence, but also introduced new fault lines.

The summit’s outcome may have significant implications for global economic dynamics and geopolitical relationships.

The BRICS nations, representing about half the world’s population and 40% of global economic output, aim to develop an alternative payment system free from dollar dependence, further signaling their growing influence in reshaping global economic dynamics.