What's happened
The July 6-7, 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro convened amid rising global tensions and US tariffs targeting member nations. Key leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin were absent or remote, reflecting internal divisions. Brazil’s Lula da Silva criticized Western military actions and called for renewed multilateralism, while the expanded BRICS group debated trade, climate, and geopolitical challenges.
What's behind the headline?
BRICS: A Fragmented Challenge to Western Dominance
The 2025 BRICS summit underscores the bloc's evolving role as a geopolitical counterweight to the US-led order, yet reveals deep internal fractures. While the group projects unity against "coercive" economic tactics and calls for reforms in global governance, its heterogeneity—ranging from democracies like India and Brazil to autocracies like Russia and Iran—undermines cohesive action.
US Tariffs and Economic Pressure
President Trump's threats and imposition of tariffs on BRICS members, notably Brazil, highlight the US's aggressive stance to deter alignment with the bloc's anti-dollar and anti-American policies. This economic pressure risks destabilizing member economies but paradoxically may foster short-term symbolic unity within BRICS.
Leadership Absences and Diplomatic Nuance
The absence of Xi Jinping and Putin, coupled with Brazil's diplomatic balancing act, signals cautious pragmatism. Brazil seeks to avoid antagonizing the US while advancing BRICS's agenda on development finance, climate action, and AI governance. This approach tempers the bloc's rhetoric, aiming to maintain relevance without provoking direct confrontation.
The Future of BRICS
BRICS's expansion and ambitions to reform global institutions position it as a voice for the Global South. However, its lack of formal structures and divergent member interests limit its capacity to act decisively. The group's success will depend on its ability to translate consensus into tangible initiatives, particularly in development finance and trade, while managing geopolitical tensions.
Impact on Global Order
The summit reflects a shifting multipolar world where US unilateralism faces challenges. For readers, this signals potential changes in global trade dynamics, currency usage, and international cooperation frameworks. The evolving BRICS bloc will influence economic and political landscapes, especially in emerging markets, over the coming years.
What the papers say
Jonathan Watts in The Guardian highlights the summit as a "dress rehearsal" for the upcoming UN climate conference and a rebuke to Western retreat, quoting Brazilian President Lula da Silva's warning of an "unparalleled collapse of multilateralism." Watts notes the absence of Xi Jinping and Putin, reflecting internal tensions and the challenge of cohesion within BRICS.
The South China Morning Post emphasizes the bloc's condemnation of "indiscriminate" tariffs and military strikes on Iran, framing BRICS as a potential alternative to the US-led order but acknowledging its internal contradictions. It reports on Trump's tariff threats and Brazil's diplomatic efforts to maintain balance, quoting experts who see BRICS as "emerging as the most important hook for an alternative structure to the US-led order."
The Guardian's Jonathan Watts and The New Arab report on Trump's tariff threats and Brazil's firm rejection, with Lula da Silva stating, "We don't want an emperor," directly challenging Trump's America-first stance. The New Arab also notes China's Premier Li Qiang attending in place of Xi Jinping, signaling China's cautious engagement.
AP News and South China Morning Post detail the summit's moderate agenda, shaped by absences of key leaders and Brazil's desire to avoid antagonizing the US. They highlight debates on artificial intelligence, climate change, and trade, with a focus on practical cooperation rather than confrontational rhetoric.
Bloomberg provides context on BRICS's origins and expansion, noting the group's diminishing coherence but growing diplomatic weight. It underscores the challenge of uniting diverse members with competing interests, especially amid US economic pressure.
Together, these sources paint a picture of a bloc striving for greater global influence while grappling with internal divisions and external pressures, with Brazil playing a pivotal role in steering the group's direction.
How we got here
BRICS, founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to 11 members representing nearly half the world’s population and 40% of global GDP. It aims to challenge Western dominance in global governance, promote South-South cooperation, and reform institutions like the UN Security Council and IMF. The group faces internal contradictions amid geopolitical tensions and US trade pressures.
Go deeper
- What are the main goals of the expanded BRICS group?
- How are US tariffs affecting BRICS member countries?
- What role is Brazil playing in the BRICS alliance?
Common question
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What are the Key Takeaways from the BRICS Summit 2025?
The BRICS Summit 2025 in Rio de Janeiro is set to address crucial topics surrounding cooperation among emerging economies, especially in light of the notable absences of key leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. This raises questions about the bloc's unity and its ability to effectively promote a multipolar world. Here are some key questions and answers regarding the summit's implications and outcomes.
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How is BRICS Influencing Global Economic Trends?
The BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro is a pivotal moment for emerging economies as they seek to reshape global economic dynamics. With key leaders absent, questions arise about the bloc's unity and its ability to counter Western dominance. This page explores the implications of BRICS on global trade and economic strategies.
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What Leadership Challenges Does BRICS Face at the Summit?
As the BRICS summit kicks off in Rio de Janeiro, significant leadership challenges loom over the bloc. With key figures like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin absent, questions arise about the future of BRICS and its ability to promote unity among emerging economies. This page explores the implications of these challenges and the opportunities that may arise in a multipolar world.
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What were the key outcomes of the BRICS summit?
The recent BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro has sparked significant discussions about global trade, military conflicts, and the future of emerging economies. With notable absences from key leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, the summit's outcomes could reshape international relations and economic strategies. Here are some common questions people have about the summit and its implications.
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What Are the Key Global Tensions and Geopolitical Shifts in 2025?
In 2025, the world is witnessing significant shifts in global power dynamics, with rising tensions among major nations and new alliances forming. From the BRICS summit debates to US strikes on Iran, these events are shaping the future of international relations. Curious about what’s driving these changes and what they mean for the world? Below, we answer some of the most pressing questions about today’s geopolitical landscape.
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What Were the Main Highlights of the BRICS Summit 2025?
The BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, 2025, marked a significant moment in global geopolitics. With rising tensions, internal divisions, and an expanding membership, the summit showcased both the ambitions and challenges of this emerging bloc. Many are asking: what were the key outcomes, and what do they mean for the future of global power? Below, we explore the main highlights and answer common questions about this pivotal event.
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What Are the Major Global Tensions and Diplomatic Shifts in 2025?
2025 has been a year of significant shifts in global diplomacy, with rising tensions among major powers and new alliances forming. From the BRICS summit debates to US-China trade moves, many questions are emerging about the future of international relations. Below, we explore the key issues shaping the world stage this year and what they mean for global stability and cooperation.
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How Do International Summits Like BRICS Impact Climate and Trade?
Global summits such as BRICS are shaping the future of climate policies and international trade. But how much change do they really bring? Do these meetings lead to real action or are they just talk? Here’s what you need to know about the influence of these high-level gatherings on our world’s climate and economy.
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What Are the Global Power Shifts and Economic Tensions in 2025?
The world is experiencing significant shifts in power and rising economic tensions, driven by events like the BRICS summit and major tech layoffs. These developments raise questions about the future of global influence, trade, and cooperation. Below, we explore the key issues shaping today's geopolitical landscape and what they mean for the future.
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Why Were Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin Absent from the BRICS Summit?
The recent BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro saw notable absences from key leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. This has sparked questions about internal divisions within the bloc and what their absence signals for global geopolitics. Many wonder how these missing leaders impact BRICS's unity and its future plans. Below, we explore the reasons behind their absence and what it means for the group's role on the world stage.
More on these topics
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BRICS is the acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS members are known for their significant influence on regional affairs.
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Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At 8.5 million square kilometers and with over 211 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area and the sixth most
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, is a Brazilian politician and former union leader who served as the 35th President of Brazil from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2010.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is anchor to the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area and the second-most populous municipality in Brazil and the sixth-most populous in the Americas.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Li Qiang is a Chinese politician and a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China. He is the current Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai, and formerly served as Governor of Zhejiang and Party Secretary of Jiangsu.
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Narendra Damodardas Modi is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and is the Member of Parliament for Varanasi.
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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of more than seventeen thousand islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. Indonesia i