BRICS Leaders Condemn Protectionism, Tariff Blackmail in Virtual Summit

Leaders of the 11-member BRICS bloc convened virtually to condemn economic protectionism and "tariff blackmail," criticizing unilateral trade measures led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighted that such tariffs, including a 50 percent U.S. tariff on Brazilian goods, disrupt global trade and interfere in domestic affairs, representing an unjust and illegal practice affecting emerging economies. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for upholding the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization and urged rejection of all forms of protectionism, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and economic globalization. The group, representing 40 percent of global GDP and nearly half the world's population, stressed the need for sustainable trade and stronger integration to mitigate the effects of these trade conflicts. Russian President Vladimir Putin also participated, emphasizing cooperation among BRICS members despite the ongoing global economic tensions. The meeting underscored the bloc's intent to propose an alternative development paradigm and resist what it perceives as economic bullying by some countries, notably the U.S.