The BRICS nations met in Brazil for a two-day summit where they criticized rising tariffs and military actions in the Middle East, without directly naming the U.S. or President Trump. Key leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin were notably absent from the in-person meeting.
The group condemned attacks on Iran and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while carefully avoiding criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
In response, Trump threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country aligning with what he called “Anti-American policies of BRICS.” Brazil, as host, tried to focus on less controversial topics like trade and global health to avoid economic retaliation.