Chicago – July 07, 2025
The BRICS group of developing countries issued a statement on Sunday, criticizing the rise in tariffs and the attacks on Iran. However, they did not directly mention U.S. President Donald Trump by name. The declaration also condemned Israel’s military actions in the Middle East but chose not to criticize its own member, Russia. The statement briefly referred to Ukraine, which has been devastated by war.
The summit, lasting two days, saw the absence of two major members. This was the first time since 2012 that China’s President Xi Jinping did not attend a BRICS summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin participated via video link, as he avoids traveling abroad due to an international arrest warrant related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The BRICS group expressed “serious concerns” about the rising tariffs, calling them “inconsistent with WTO rules.” They warned that these tariffs could harm global trade, disrupt supply chains, and cause uncertainty.
In response, Trump posted on his social media, saying that any country that supports what he called the “Anti-American policies of BRICS” would face an additional 10% tariff.
