BRICS Leaders Slam ‘Tariff Pressure’ by US, Call for Fair Global Trade
Leaders of the BRICS nations came together virtually on Monday, voicing growing concern over what they see as increasing economic pressure from the United States, while also pushing to strengthen cooperation within their expanding bloc.
Chairing the summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke strongly against what he described as the normalization of “tariff pressure” as a way to dominate global markets and influence domestic affairs of other countries.
Lula highlighted the situation facing Brazil, which is currently dealing with steep import duties — reportedly as high as 50% — on goods entering the US market. He suggested that such economic measures go beyond trade and begin to affect national sovereignty.
He also raised concerns over rising geopolitical tensions in the region, pointing to the presence of US warships in the Caribbean Sea. While the US says the move is aimed at tackling drug trafficking, Lula warned that increased military activity is adding to instability, especially after a recent deadly incident involving a vessel near Venezuela.
According to Lula, these actions reflect what he called a “new form of unilateralism,” where global disputesare increasingly handled through pressure tactics rather than cooperation and international law.
Despite these tensions, BRICS leaders emphasized the growing importance of their alliance. The bloc — which includes major emerging economies — now represents around 40% of global GDP, 20% of world trade, and nearly half of the world’s population, making it a powerful force in shaping the future of international economics.
The leaders collectively called for a shift back toward peaceful dialogue and fair trade practices, warning that rising confrontation and aggressive policies could further strain global relations.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
