BRICS 2025 Summit: Outcome Of Talks Amid Trump’s Threats

The annual BRICS summit which brought together founding nations Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with newer members like Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Iran is intended to showcase a united front of the Global South as an alternative to Western dominance.

Formed in 2009, BRICS was established as a platform for emerging and developing economies to collaborate on vital global issues such as trade, diplomacy, and security. This year’s summit, described by Brazil’s President as the most significant to date, was expected to reflect a strong show of unity.

However, tensions rose following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who issued stern warnings about potential economic retaliation should BRICS members move away from the dollar in international trade.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump posted on Truth Social, though he did not specify which policies he was referring to.

His statement triggered immediate backlash from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who hosted the summit and denounced the comments as irresponsible.

”We don’t want an emperor, we are sovereign countries,” Lula said in his closing speech on Monday. “It’s not right for a president of a country the size of the United States to threaten the world online.”

BRICS 2025 SUMMIT

Held at the Museum of Contemporary Art overlooking Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, the BRICS 2025 Summit served as both a strategic lead-up to the upcoming Belém COP30 UN Climate Conference in November and a pointed critique of wealthier nations that have turned inward, prioritized militarization, and reduced support to vulnerable regions.

On Saturday, July 6, the leaders of the 11 largest emerging economies officially endorsed the Joint Declaration of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Titled “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the declaration affirms BRICS’ dedication to upholding multilateralism, reinforcing international law, and pushing for a fairer global system.

This milestone followed months of robust collaboration, including over 200 meetings and the establishment or enhancement of 200 cooperation mechanisms focused on critical areas like hunger eradication, climate action, and the advancement of new technologies.

What Was Discussed At BRICS Summit

The summit emphasized giving greater global influence to developing nations particularly in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Leaders called for inclusive governance and a more balanced representation in global decision-making forums, including the United Nations.

Finances

BRICS nations advocated for a realignment of IMF quotas and World Bank shareholding to better reflect the contributions of emerging markets. “We want to reiterate that IMF quota realignment should not come at the expense of developing countries, but rather reflect the relative positions of countries in the global economy and increase DCEM quotas.”

Health

Global health cooperation was also a major focus. The declaration reaffirmed BRICS’ commitment to improving health outcomes through equity and inclusion. A notable development was the launch of the Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases, which seeks to tackle health disparities caused by factors like poverty and social exclusion.
“We are committed to actively supporting efforts to strengthen the global health architecture by promoting equality, inclusion, transparency, and responsiveness. This ensures that no country is left behind in achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals,” the bloc noted.

Artificial Intelligence

For the first time, AI took center stage at a BRICS Summit. The group emphasized the need for a unified Global South perspective on the governance of this rapidly evolving technology. “A collective global effort is needed to establish AI governance that upholds our shared values, addresses risks, builds trust, and ensures broad and inclusive international collaboration and access.”

Climate Change

Ahead of Brazil-hosted COP30, climate discussions led to the recognition of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund (TFFF)as a mechanism for long-term forest conservation funding. “Our Climate Framework Declaration charts a roadmap for the next five years to transform our capacity to raise resources for fighting climate change. With the collective scale of the BRICS, we will combat the climate crisis while make our economies stronger and fairer,” the group declared.

Peace, Security & Global Stability

The bloc also stressed the importance of peace and diplomacy amid rising global military spending. Leaders highlighted their concern for efforts to tie climate issues to security agendas and urged respect for national sovereignty in addressing challenges like poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation.

What Trump’s Threat Means For BRICS And Aligning Countries Like Nigeria

Nigeria officially became the ninth BRICS partner country on 17 January 2025, following Brazil’s announcement of its admission. This status, created during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024, now places Nigeria alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan as a key strategic ally of the bloc.

President Donald Trump recently threatened to impose additional tariffs on BRICS-aligned countries, though he did not specify which BRICS policies he deemed “anti‑American.”

The Trump administration plans to implement these tariffs on 1 August, following a 90-day delay from the original 9 July timeline. The announcement came as BRICS leaders convened in Rio de Janeiro.
Nigeria could face serious economic setbacks if the tariffs materialize.

The United States is a major buyer of Nigerian crude oil, which comprises over 90% of Nigeria’s exports to the US, along with smaller volumes of fertilizer, agricultural produce, and manufactured goods. New tariffs on non-oil exports could disrupt Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its export base.

Moreover, Nigeria’s heavy dependence on oil makes it particularly vulnerable to price volatility and shifts in global energy demand, leaving its economy exposed in the event of protectionist US policies.

Trump’s tariff threat could pose a serious economic challenge to BRICS countries, particularly those with strong export ties to the U.S. While it may sow division and disrupt trade, it could also speed up internal BRICS integration and efforts to bypass traditional dollar-based systems.

Adopted Documents At The Summit

In addition to the leaders’ declaration, BRICS adopted three major documents under Brazil’s presidency;

The BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, the BRICS Leaders’ Declaration on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, and the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases.

These declarations collectively reflect the bloc’s growing ambition to lead on issues central to the Global South and build a more inclusive and sustainable world order.