BRICS in Brazil: the only forum that can counter Trump's policies

The BRICS group , made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will meet this Monday at the initiative of Brazilian President Lula da Silva , at a crucial moment for the global economy and international geopolitics. According to Argentine political scientist Anabella Busso , this forum represents the only space capable of countering Donald Trump's coercive policies .

Busso highlighted that Brazil has suffered tariffs of up to 50% as part of the US strategy to influence the country's domestic politics, especially following the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro .

"Brazil is projecting an international agenda that it can share with the BRICS and other countries in the Global South," the specialist added.

The virtual summit will address US tariffs, global trade, multilateralism, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) . A key topic is the possibility of adopting a common currency for trade among members, a measure criticized by Trump as a threat to the US dollar.

Furthermore, the meeting will seek to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies , promoting more balanced trade that is less dependent on U.S. policy. The group's importance lies in its combined economic capacity , with China, India, and Brazil leading the global industrial balance and contributing 50% of the world's gross industrial product, along with Russia and South Africa.

Busso explains that the group's coordinated decisions can have a significant impact on the global economy . The forum generates a "boomerang effect" against Trump's coercive policies, acting not as an enemy of the United States, but as a counterweight to unilateral measures that seek to limit the autonomy of emerging countries.

By leading this meeting, Brazil demonstrates its pursuit of multilateral alternatives and its position as a key player in the geopolitics of the Global South. The addition of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia in 2024 and 2025 further strengthens the bloc's reach, while partner countries such as Bolivia, Malaysia, and Vietnam expand the political and commercial influence of the BRICS.

The BRICS represent 36% of global GDP and 45% of the global population , demonstrating their ability to balance international trade and offer alternatives to US decisions that affect emerging economies. The meeting in Brazil is expected to be a key moment to consolidate multilateralism , strengthen cooperation, and open new trade routes.