Discussion of counter-measures against US tariffs planned by BRICS nations, as announced by Lula da Silva
In a show of solidarity, the BRICS nations - Brazil, South Africa, India, China, and Russia - have collectively condemned the unilateral U.S. tariffs under President Trump, viewing them as an attack on sovereignty.
Brazil's President Lula da Silva and India's Prime Minister Modi have publicly rejected these tariffs, viewing them as economic aggression rather than negotiation leverage. South Africa and other BRICS members have similarly resisted the tariffs, which have been imposed at rates as high as 50% on some products from Brazil and India, and 30% on South African exports.
The BRICS countries are united in strengthening multilateralism as opposed to the U.S.’s increasingly unilateral stance. At their 2025 summit in Rio de Janeiro, they reaffirmed support for multilateral trade talks and reforms in global governance institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing the importance of negotiated frameworks over protectionist and punitive tariffs.
The U.S. tariffs have had the unintended effect of solidifying BRICS cohesion, boosting their resolve to deepen economic ties among themselves and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. Brazil and India, despite some caution on radical moves, support policies aimed at economic cooperation within BRICS and diminishing dollar dominance in trade.
Regarding the Doha round of WTO negotiations, although specific recent statements from each BRICS member or France and Germany are not detailed, the collective emphasis on strengthening multilateralism implies continued support for WTO-led negotiations, including the Doha round goals of trade liberalization and fairer global trade rules. This is consistent with their general opposition to unilateral tariffs and preference for negotiated, rules-based trade frameworks.
France and Germany, while not BRICS members, are part of the EU, which has also been affected by U.S. tariff threats and has sought to strengthen WTO mechanisms and oppose unilateral tariffs. The EU has implemented reciprocal tariffs and engaged in multilateral dialogue to address trade disputes with the U.S., thus aligning with the broader principle of multilateral trade governance rather than protectionism.
In summary, the BRICS nations and other major economies like the EU members France and Germany maintain a stance favoring multilateral trade negotiations under the WTO framework, resist U.S. unilateral tariff impositions, and view such tariffs as counterproductive to global trade stability.
References:
- BBC News
- Reuters
- EU Observer
- The Diplomat
- The Guardian
"The BRICS nations, in alignment with the EU members France and Germany, have expressed opposition to the U.S. tariffs, viewing them as a disruption to the principles of multilateral trade negotiations under the WTO framework. These nations, including Brazil, South Africa, India, China, and Russia, are united in their rejection of economic aggression like unilateral tariffs, as seen in their resistance to the tariffs imposed on their products."
"In their pursuit of global trade stability, the BRICS nations and the EU, such as France and Germany, have emphasized the importance of negotiated, rules-based trade frameworks over protectionist and punitive tariffs. This stance is consistent with their collective support for multilateral trade talks and reforms in global governance institutions, like the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Security Council."
