BRICS Summit in Brazil: A Turning Point or Just Another Meeting?

In a dramatic twist, the 17th BRICS summit in Brazil unfolded with notable absences, raising urgent questions about the future of this coalition aiming to challenge Western dominance. Leaders from China and Russia—two of the bloc’s most influential members—skipped the event, placing a spotlight on the group’s cohesion and purpose. As tensions rise globally, the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who addressed the summit via video link due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, has sparked intense debate about BRICS’ effectiveness.

The summit’s agenda was dominated by discussions on global trade, particularly in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned unilateral trade practices and called for a more equitable global economic structure. As the host nation, Brazil’s stance against NATO’s military spending and Israel’s actions in Gaza echoed throughout the proceedings, yet the declaration notably avoided direct criticism of the U.S., reflecting a cautious approach amid fears of retaliatory tariffs.

The summit’s expansion, which has doubled BRICS’ membership, has led to concerns about divergent national interests complicating consensus. With countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia now part of the group, the challenge of uniting under a common agenda becomes even more daunting. Experts highlight that while BRICS represents 44% of global GDP and 56% of the world’s population, its internal divisions could hinder its ability to act as a cohesive force against Western influence.

As global protectionism escalates, BRICS faces a pivotal moment. Will it emerge as a powerful counterweight to Western hegemony, or will it remain fragmented and ineffective? The world watches closely as these emerging economies grapple with their identities and ambitions on the global stage. The stakes have never been higher.