BRICS leaders meet amid Trump's tariff threats

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🗞️ Driving the news: BRICS leaders met in Rio de Janeiro for a two-day summit, reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism amid escalating US trade threats
• US President Donald Trump warned of an additional 10% tariff on countries “aligning” with BRICS, on top of potential 50% tariffs by August 1
• Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva denounced “the collapse of multilateralism” and called on BRICS to modernize global governance to reflect a multipolar world

🔭 The context: BRICS, now expanded to include 11 members such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Indonesia, represents nearly half of the global population and a growing share of GDP
• The bloc has become an increasingly vocal counterweight to Western-led institutions like NATO and the WTO
• Notably absent were Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin — the latter appearing by video due to an ICC arrest warrant, and the former sending Premier Li Qiang without explanation

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The summit underscores shifting geopolitical alignments that could reshape global trade, energy, and climate diplomacy
• Trump’s tariff threats risk further fragmenting international cooperation on sustainability, trade, and emissions, while BRICS’ emphasis on natural resources, logistics, and finance raises questions about whether its growth agenda will prioritize low-carbon pathways or entrench fossil fuel dependence
• Coordination among emerging economies will be key to advancing equitable, sustainable development amid mounting global tensions

⏭️ What's next: The US has set an August 1 deadline for trade partners to reach agreements or face steep tariffs, putting pressure on BRICS members reliant on US markets
• BRICS leaders pledged to enhance collaboration on finance, trade, and anti-terrorism, but implementation remains to be seen
• The bloc’s next steps — including whether it develops a collective response to US tariffs — will signal its capacity to act as a unified alternative on the global stage

💬 One quote: "Any country aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions." — Donald Trump, via Truth Social

📈 One stat: The expanded BRICS bloc now represents roughly half of the world’s population, reflecting its growing geopolitical weight

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