In response to impending tariffs by President Trump, economies like Brazil and China are initiating deeper partnerships within the BRICS group to bolster their trade networks.
Emerging Economies Forge Stronger Trade Ties Amid U.S. Tariff Threats

Emerging Economies Forge Stronger Trade Ties Amid U.S. Tariff Threats
As President Trump's new tariffs loom, BRICS nations focus on local trade over reliance on the U.S. market.
BRICS nations gather in Rio de Janeiro, discussing trade autonomy as U.S. tariffs threaten global commerce.
As President Trump prepares to reintroduce tariffs this week that could affect a range of products from toys to agricultural goods, key developing economies are proactively seeking alternatives to reliance on U.S. trade. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa met for a two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro to strengthen their cooperative trade framework, expressing a desire to reduce bureaucratic barriers among member countries.
While the announcement of tariffs prompted concerns, the BRICS group communicated indirectly a stance against these unilateral moves by the U.S. without explicitly naming President Trump. In a joint statement, BRICS members lamented the rise of unilateral tariff measures that distort trade, advocating instead for fair practices aligned with World Trade Organization (WTO) norms. Their target: to reshape trading functions that enable more equitable approaches among the economically powerful alliance representing over 40% of global GDP.
The BRICS nations’ commitment to enhancing intra-group trade underscores a significant shift in global economic relationships, as America's recent tariff policies compel its trading partners to explore markets beyond U.S. borders. This collaborative approach coincides with the expiration of a 90-day moratorium on tariffs imposed by Trump, raising further concerns about the efficacy of his administration's trade strategies.
Despite ambitions for numerous trade deals benefiting the U.S., Trump’s administration has managed only limited agreements with countries such as Britain and Vietnam, although announcements of new partnerships are expected soon. In the face of this uncertainty, BRICS nations remain focused on building self-sufficient networks that diverge from traditional reliance on U.S. trade practices.
As President Trump prepares to reintroduce tariffs this week that could affect a range of products from toys to agricultural goods, key developing economies are proactively seeking alternatives to reliance on U.S. trade. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa met for a two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro to strengthen their cooperative trade framework, expressing a desire to reduce bureaucratic barriers among member countries.
While the announcement of tariffs prompted concerns, the BRICS group communicated indirectly a stance against these unilateral moves by the U.S. without explicitly naming President Trump. In a joint statement, BRICS members lamented the rise of unilateral tariff measures that distort trade, advocating instead for fair practices aligned with World Trade Organization (WTO) norms. Their target: to reshape trading functions that enable more equitable approaches among the economically powerful alliance representing over 40% of global GDP.
The BRICS nations’ commitment to enhancing intra-group trade underscores a significant shift in global economic relationships, as America's recent tariff policies compel its trading partners to explore markets beyond U.S. borders. This collaborative approach coincides with the expiration of a 90-day moratorium on tariffs imposed by Trump, raising further concerns about the efficacy of his administration's trade strategies.
Despite ambitions for numerous trade deals benefiting the U.S., Trump’s administration has managed only limited agreements with countries such as Britain and Vietnam, although announcements of new partnerships are expected soon. In the face of this uncertainty, BRICS nations remain focused on building self-sufficient networks that diverge from traditional reliance on U.S. trade practices.