Trump’s foreign policy vacuum fuels BRICS global ambitions

Trump’s White House comeback in 2025 has triggered fresh tension on the global stage, and BRICS isn’t wasting the opportunity.

The bloc—originally Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is using the power void left by the US president’s isolationist push to regroup and flex.

According to Bloomberg, leaders of the expanded group, which now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the UAE, are meeting this weekend in Rio de Janeiro, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to finalize a joint statement condemning “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures” and the “indiscriminate raising” of tariffs.

That language won’t name the US directly, but the timing says enough. The statement is scheduled just before Trump’s new trade levies hit on July 9, and the bloc clearly isn’t letting it slide. These tariffs, warned Xolisa Mabhongo, South Africa’s lead negotiator, “are not productive.

They are not good for the world economy. They are not good for development.” As Trump pulls the US out of global trade deals and burns alliances, BRICS is trying to claim the diplomatic space he’s leaving behind. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said they’re working to “strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership and safeguard multilateralism.”

BRICS expands its reach while dodging conflict

Even with this new push, the bloc still can’t pretend to be a unified force. Xi Jinping is skipping the summit, despite attending a state visit in Brasilia last year and being expected at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil later.

Vladimir Putin also won’t attend. If he did, Brazil would be obligated to arrest him due to an active international warrant for alleged war crimes tied to Ukraine.

The original BRICS group was formed in 2009 to give large emerging economies more say in a US-led world. Since then, they’ve expanded fast. Adding five new members means the bloc now represents about 40% of the world’s GDP and half the global population. But that growth has come at the cost of clarity. These countries don’t all want the same thing, and they sure don’t agree on the same issues.

One of the most sensitive topics is war. Delegates involved in talks say Russia and China are blocking efforts to add any strong reference to ongoing conflicts. Egypt, meanwhile, is pushing hard to include peace and security language focused on its border crisis in Gaza. No one’s budging.

Trade climbs while rifts deepen

Trade between the five original BRICS nations has jumped 40% since 2021, now totaling $740 billion a year, based on International Monetary Fund figures. That rise comes as pressure from Trump’s policies forces countries to find alternate trade routes. Two Brazilian officials said that his tariffs are giving member states a reason to come together, at least for now, to build new partnerships and collective strategies.

One of those efforts is climate finance. For the first time, BRICS is discussing how to fund environmental initiatives among its members. Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement years ago, leaving room for other powers to step up. China is using the chance to position itself as a more consistent partner. Beijing has already held climate talks with Brazil and Indonesia ahead of the UN annual climate summit.

India also seems ready to fall in line. A government official familiar with the discussions said Narendra Modi isn’t expecting any obstacles to a joint statement. After the Rio meeting, Modi will head to Brasilia for a state visit. Lula is also hosting Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, packing his schedule with symbolic diplomacy.

Still, the old divides inside BRICS haven’t gone anywhere. Egypt and Ethiopia refused to back South Africa’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, which used to be one of the few things the bloc agreed on. There’s also lingering rivalry between China and India. Both want to lead BRICS and speak for the Global South.

With Modi taking over the BRICS presidency in 2026, just three years after Xi skipped the G-20 in India, tensions between them are only growing. If Xi snubs the bloc again, it’ll raise more questions about whether BRICS is serious or just a cute little logo.

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