International bloc BRICS has expressed opposition to protectionism, stressing the importance of an open and free global trading system.
In a historic meeting held at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - have taken a strong collective stance against commercial protectionism and military attacks, particularly those against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The three-day summit, led by China and Russia, concluded on the first day with a final declaration of 126 articles, addressing a range of global issues. The declaration addresses the commercial war initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, the escalation of violence in the Middle East, and the "urgent" reform of the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
The BRICS countries expressed "serious concerns" about the rise of unilateral tariffs and non-tariff trade restrictions, which they argue distort trade, threaten global economic stability, disrupt supply chains, and undermine the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO). Specifically, they condemned the "indiscriminate" import tariffs such as the 25% levy on automobiles and 50% on non-U.K. steel, which have directly affected member countries’ exports.
In response, the BRICS nations are deploying a coordinated counterstrategy that emphasizes multilateralism, economic resilience, and self-reliance. They are seeking to build solidarity among emerging markets to mitigate the impact of U.S. protectionist policies and create a more open, transparent, and rules-based trading system.
The leaders of the BRICS have also expressed strong support for multilateralism and have rejected protectionist measures, including indiscriminate tariffs and non-tariff measures. However, they have not explicitly stated their stance on the liberal globalization model, beyond Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement that it has become obsolete.
Regarding military affairs, the BRICS has condemned "the military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran since June 13, 2025," without directly criticizing the United States or Israel. The BRICS forum, consisting of 11 countries, is currently meeting in Rio de Janeiro, with the absences of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin, who are participating remotely.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed the need for a "new multipolar order," while Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has criticized the increase in military spending agreed by the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), at the behest of Trump.
In a recent development, former U.S. President Trump, through his social media platform Truth Social, has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country aligning with the BRICS' anti-American policies. The BRICS has not issued any statements regarding this threat as of yet.
The leaders of the BRICS have also expressed concerns about the proliferation of restrictive measures on trade, including indiscriminate tariffs and protectionism under the pretext of environmental objectives, which they believe threatens to reduce global trade.
The XVII meeting of heads of state and government is a significant event, marking the BRICS' continued commitment to multilateralism, economic cooperation, and global peace.
The BRICS nations have incorporated the pressing issue of commercial war, particularly the U.S.'s unilateral tariffs, in their 126-article declaration, emphasizing their concerns about distortions in trade and disruptions to global economic stability. Furthermore, in response to military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the BRICS countries have collectively condemned such actions in the context of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, as discussed during the historic summit in Rio de Janeiro.
