Brazil's Lula, BRICS Leaders Condemn US Tariffs, Urge Trade Unity

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the use of tariffs as a form of "blackmail" during a virtual BRICS summit, implicitly criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of 50% tariffs on Brazilian and Indian goods. Lula described these tariffs as unjustified and illegal trade practices aimed at market conquest and interference in domestic affairs, linking them to Trump's efforts to influence Brazil's internal politics, including the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Chinese President Xi Jinping also criticized trade wars and tariff measures, warning that they disrupt the global economy and undermine international trade rules. Lula emphasized the need for greater trade and financial integration among BRICS nations to counteract unilateral protectionist measures and called for the reformation of the global trade system. The BRICS bloc, now expanded to ten members, represents a significant portion of global GDP and population, giving it legitimacy to lead a modernized multilateral trading framework. The summit highlighted rising tensions from unilateral trade actions and the paralysis of the World Trade Organization, with BRICS members exploring solidarity and coordination to protect their development interests.