Foreign ministers of the BRICS nations voiced strong opposition to rising global trade protectionism during a high-level meeting Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.
The summit, held under Brazil’s rotating presidency, spotlighted growing concerns over U.S. tariffs that have strained global commerce since President Donald Trump’s return to office.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira emphasized the bloc’s “firm rejection” of trade barriers, avoiding direct reference to Washington but signaling unified discontent.
The United States has imposed sweeping 10 percent tariffs on imports from numerous nations, with China facing punitive duties as high as 145 percent.
In retaliation, Beijing has introduced countermeasures, slapping U.S. goods with tariffs reaching 125 percent, escalating trade tensions between the world’s top economies.
BRICS, originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE.
The expanded bloc positions itself as a counterweight to Western-led institutions, advocating for fairer trade practices and multipolar global governance.
Although no joint declaration emerged from the Rio talks, Vieira reported “absolute consensus” among members on the dangers posed by rising tariffs and trade conflicts.
With the group set to convene a leaders’ summit in three months, ministers warned that protectionist policies threaten not just growth, but trust among trading partners.