On Sunday, July 6, 2025, leaders from the expanding BRICS group of developing nations gathered in Rio de Janeiro amid rising global tensions and trade disputes. The summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, underscored the bloc’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy and reforming international governance to better reflect the realities of the 21st century.
Lula opened the summit by lamenting what he called "the unparalleled collapse of multilateralism." He asserted that "if international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to help bring it up to date." Drawing a parallel with the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, Lula described BRICS as its heir, emphasizing the bloc’s role in asserting autonomy amid global power struggles.
However, the summit was marked by the notable absences of two of its most influential members. For the first time since assuming leadership in 2012, China’s President Xi Jinping did not attend, sending Premier Li Qiang as his representative instead. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin participated via videoconference, largely due to an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Brazil, as a member of the ICC, would be obligated to arrest Putin if he were to enter the country.
Putin used his remote address to declare that "the model of liberal globalization is becoming obsolete," noting that "the center of business activity is shifting towards the emerging markets." He urged BRICS members to enhance cooperation across natural resources, logistics, trade, and finance sectors, signaling a push for deeper economic integration within the bloc.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present in Rio, highlighted BRICS’s potential to lead the Global South in an increasingly multipolar world. Modi also addressed regional security concerns, condemning the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, India-administered Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people. The BRICS joint declaration reiterated a firm stance against terrorism, reaffirming commitment to combating all forms of terrorism, including cross-border movements, financing, and safe havens.
One of the summit’s focal points was the escalating global trade tensions, particularly involving the United States. The BRICS declaration voiced "serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules." It warned that such measures threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt supply chains, and introduce uncertainty, a clear critique of U.S. policies under President Donald Trump.
Later on Sunday, Trump responded sharply via his social media platform, Truth Social, threatening to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country aligning with what he called the "Anti-American policies of BRICS." He wrote, "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." The U.S. president did not clarify what specific policies he was referring to, but his administration is actively seeking to finalize numerous trade deals ahead of a July 9 deadline for imposing significant retaliatory tariffs.
Brazilian experts noted that Brazil aimed to minimize economic risks by focusing the summit’s agenda on less contentious issues such as trade relations among members and global health, avoiding direct confrontations with the U.S. administration. Ana Garcia, a professor at Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University, explained, "Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy."
Another key topic was the Middle East conflict and recent military actions. The BRICS declaration condemned attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, labeling them "violations of international law," though it refrained from explicitly naming the United States or Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, representing President Masoud Pezeshkian who was unable to attend due to recent attacks on Iran, urged BRICS members to condemn Israel strongly and hold both Israel and the U.S. accountable for rights violations. Araghchi warned that the consequences of the conflict "will not be limited" to one country but will damage the entire region and beyond.
BRICS leaders also expressed "grave concern" over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for the release of all hostages, a return to negotiations, and reaffirming their commitment to the two-state solution. However, Araghchi later expressed reservations about the viability of the two-state solution, stating it “will not work just as it has not worked in the past.” Russia’s foreign ministry, in a separate statement, condemned the "unprovoked military strikes" against Iran and explicitly named the U.S. and Israel.
The group’s 31-page declaration mentioned Ukraine only once, condemning "in the strongest terms" recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia. The declaration recalled the members’ national positions on the Ukraine conflict as expressed in the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly. João Alfredo Nyegray, an international business and geopolitics professor, commented on the summit’s challenges, noting that the withdrawal of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and uncertainty over representation from countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE highlighted the difficulty of establishing BRICS as a cohesive global leadership pole. "This moment demands high level articulation, but we are actually seeing dispersion," he said.
Since its founding by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS has rapidly expanded. Last year, it welcomed Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, now encompassing over half the world’s population and about 40% of global economic output. Additionally, the bloc has 10 strategic partner countries, including Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. This expansion prompted Brazil to prioritize institutional development at the summit to better integrate new members and strengthen internal cohesion.
Amid these geopolitical discussions, the summit also addressed environmental concerns. Brazil, preparing to host the United Nations climate summit (COP 30) in November in the Amazonian city of Belém, used the meeting to advance climate negotiations and environmental commitments. China and the UAE indicated plans to invest in a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility aimed at conserving endangered forests globally. Meanwhile, human rights groups like Amnesty International protested Brazil’s plans for offshore oil drilling near the Amazon River’s mouth, reflecting ongoing tensions between economic development and environmental protection.
The BRICS summit in Rio thus unfolded as a complex stage where emerging economies sought to assert their voice amid global instability, trade wars, and regional conflicts. While the group’s unity faces challenges due to diverse member interests and geopolitical pressures, the summit highlighted their shared desire to reshape international governance and promote alternative economic partnerships.
As the summit continues into Monday, July 7, 2025, BRICS leaders remain focused on fostering cooperation, addressing humanitarian crises, and navigating the turbulent waters of global politics—standing firm against protectionism and unilateralism, and striving to carve out a multipolar future.
