The recent BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro has underscored the complex relationship between the group of emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—and the United States.
At the summit, President Donald Trump threatened to impose trade tariffs, prompting a shift in the language and tone of participating leaders.
Initially, the BRICS group acknowledged itself as ‘anti-United States’ and ‘anti-Western’ in light of the current geopolitical rivalry.
The informal association has consistently aimed to promote a ‘multipolar world,’ seeking to provide guidelines for global governance while fostering economic growth in the Global South.
However, the enlarged BRICS bloc is grappling with deepening frictions among its members as individual geopolitical priorities come into play.
Despite claims of being against the dollar, BRICS members have stated that they are not restricted from trading with the United States.
In this context, President Trump’s tariffs are perceived as a means to exert control over a group that has expressed intentions to de-dollarize and diminish U.S. global dominance.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, voiced concerns that the BRICS association aimed to undermine U.S. interests and expressed disappointment at the summit’s proceedings.
BRICS’ ambition to reduce U.S. influence and assert dominance hinges on their ability to invest globally; failure to do so leaves such aspirations unattainable.
Interestingly, both Russia and India are reported to be renegotiating trade agreements with the United States, with Russia showing intentions to restore normal bilateral relations.
Ahead of the summit, President Vladimir Putin signed decrees facilitating foreign investments in Russia, bypassing counter-sanction measures from previous years.
Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, is now tasked with managing the return of American businesses to Russia, which indicates a shift in diplomatic dynamics.
This resetting of U.S.-Russia relations anticipates the creation of a bilateral commission to explore new economic partnerships beneficial to both nations.
Notably, there are over 1.2 million Russian citizens living in the United States, while approximately 15,000 Americans reside in Russia—a testament to interactive ties.
Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President, expressed disappointment over negative perceptions of BRICS, emphasizing the need to foster a positive collective image.
He faced criticism from various South African groups for aligning too closely with the United States.
South Africa has maintained a historically positive trade relationship with the U.S., particularly through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Ramaphosa asserted, ‘We are not anti-American,’ and reiterated South Africa’s commitment to securing a trade agreement with the U.S.
Additionally, Kaamil Alli, a spokesman for South Africa’s Trade Ministry, confirmed the nation’s dedication to deepening economic ties with Washington, highlighting ongoing constructive conversations.
Relations between South Africa and the United States have notably deteriorated since President Trump’s return to office in January 2025, escalating tensions following the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador and a reduction in financial aid.
The U.S. government’s discontent centered on South Africa’s land reform policies and its legal action against Israel regarding alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice.
In defense, South African officials labeled land reform as a necessary constitutional effort to rectify historical racial inequalities linked to apartheid.
In light of these complex dynamics, African BRICS members such as South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia have begun toning down their previously critical rhetoric towards the United States to safeguard their trade relations.
Concerns escalated that these nations could face additional tariffs as President Trump targets BRICS-aligned countries vocal about being against U.S. policies.
The BRICS bloc labeled increasing tariffs as harmful to global trade, raising alarms especially among African countries involved with BRICS initiatives.
As the bloc expanded in December 2024 to include nations such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, BRICS members are collectively seeking to position themselves as a counterbalance to Western-led institutions like the G7 and G20.
This significant summit reinforced BRICS’ role amid a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions and aims to attract countries seeking alternatives to existing alliances.
India, a critical member of BRICS, has drawn criticism from some quarters, notably from British media outlets, for perceived inconsistency and unreliability as a partner to Europe.
However, India appears to have maneuvered itself as a neutral player, balancing its longstanding relationships with both Europe and the United States, which remains a crucial source of financial remittances.
Moreover, the significant Indian diaspora—estimated at 4.1 million—including many in the United States highlights the interconnectedness of these two nations.
As globalization and multilateral diplomacy face new strains, BRICS has become a haven for countries looking for new alliances in the wake of Trump’s ‘America First’ strategy shaping international relations.
This evolving landscape reveals the complexity of geopolitical dynamics as BRICS members navigate both opportunities and challenges presented by their relationships with the United States and among themselves.
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