Expanding Influence Amidst Diplomatic Shifts, Internal Complexities, and US Economic Tensions

The BRICS summit's second plenary session took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025. The expansion of the BRICS group has created new opportunities for diplomatic coordination, especially as forums like the G7 and G20 face challenges due to internal divisions and the "America First" policies of the US President.

During the summit, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva compared BRICS to the Non-Aligned Movement of the Cold War era, a group of developing nations that avoided taking sides in a polarized world. He stated that BRICS is the successor to this movement, emphasizing the importance of autonomy in a world where multilateralism is under threat.

In response, the US President directly criticized the bloc on social media, threatening additional tariffs on any country aligning with BRICS' policies. Earlier, BRICS also expressed support for Iran, condemning military actions by Israel and the United States. The US President had previously threatened punitive duties on various partners, later offering a temporary reprieve.

The summit declaration did not directly criticize the United States or its president, potentially as a concession to US allies within BRICS. The BRICS nations now represent over half the world's population and 40 percent of its economic output, as noted by President Lula.

The original BRICS group, formed in 2009, included Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa later joined, and last year, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were added. This summit marked the first time Indonesia participated. A Brazilian diplomat noted that BRICS is filling the void left by others, though the G7 still holds significant power, its dominance has diminished.

Despite the group's growth, questions remain about the shared goals of the increasingly diverse BRICS. The Chinese President sent his premier in his place, and the Russian President participated online due to an arrest warrant. Several heads of state, including the Indian Prime Minister and the South African President, attended the discussions in Rio. Over 30 other nations have expressed interest in joining BRICS.