Leaders of BRICS Confront U.S. Tariffs in Virtual Summit Convened by Brazil

According to statements from China’s Foreign Ministry and the Kremlin, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin will join Brazil’s virtual BRICS summit on September 8.

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, called this meeting to unite emerging economies against new U.S. trade levies. India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, will send his foreign minister in his place.

The leaders aim to coordinate a response to U.S. tariffs of up to 50 percent on Brazilian and Indian goods, and 30 percent on Chinese and South African products.

These duties, imposed in early 2025, threatened to raise costs for consumers and disrupt global supply chains. Brazil and its partners view them as protectionist measures that undermine World Trade Organization rules.

China and Russia will deliver major speeches. Xi will speak from Beijing, and Putin from Moscow. Each leader may choose whether to release their remarks. They will not issue a joint statement.

Their discussion will focus on reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar and expanding trade in local currencies. BRICS expanded from five to eight members by 2025, adding Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

This growth reflects its goal to represent half the world’s population and over 40 percent of global GDP. Brazil, as 2025 chair, emphasizes multilateralism, WTO reform, and climate finance, including a fund to protect the Amazon.

This summit signals deeper economic ties among developing nations. By presenting a united front, BRICS leaders intend to pressure the U.S. to reverse its tariff policy. Businesses and investors should watch for new currency swaps and trade agreements that may reshape global markets.

📌 Read our complete guide: BRICS in 2026: Complete Guide to the 11-Nation Bloc Reshaping Global Trade

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