The leaders of the BRICS nations convened on Monday for an extraordinary virtual summit called by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to address escalating trade tensions with the United States. The meeting brought together representatives from all ten full BRICS member states and focused on global economic challenges, particularly recent U.S. tariffs and sanctions targeting the bloc.
Central to the discussions was the theme of defending multipolarity in the global order. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech titled “Forging Ahead in Solidarity and Cooperation,” in which he called for a more equitable system of global governance, reaffirming support for the United Nations and multilateral trade structures. Xi emphasized that the BRICS nations must act in unity to counter unilateral trade measures that threaten their economic stability.
The summit was largely prompted by the United States' decision to impose 50% tariffs on both Brazil and India. Washington justified the measures by citing Brazil’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro and India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Many observers, however, view the move as an attempt by U.S. President Donald Trump to initiate a broader trade confrontation with BRICS—a grouping he has criticized since taking office.
The meeting, held behind closed doors, concluded without a joint statement, underscoring its emergency and confidential nature. Reports suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin requested limited access to the proceedings, reflecting concerns over information security amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Nevertheless, excerpts of remarks from several participants have surfaced online, revealing broad consensus on the need for a coordinated strategy.
The summit follows closely on the heels of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, last week, which showcased the strengthening ties among major non-Western powers. Analysts argue that these developments highlight a significant shift away from U.S.-led unipolarity, with BRICS positioning itself as a central pillar in the emerging multipolar world order.