BRICS group condemns increase of tariffs in summit overshadowed by Middle East tensions

BRICS leaders set to discuss key global political issues, but questions over the bloc’s cohesion arose as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin opted to skip the summit.

The BRICS bloc of developing nations at their summit in Brazil on Sunday condemned the increase of tariffs and attacks on Iran, but refrained from naming US President Donald Trump. The group’s declaration, which also took aim at Israeli military actions in the Middle East, spared its founding member Russia from criticism and mentioned war-torn Ukraine only once.  The bloc issued a declaration in which they raised “serious concerns” about the rise of tariffs which it said were “inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules.” In an indirect swipe at the US, they said those restrictions ”threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains and introduce uncertainty.” Lula also criticised NATO’s decision to hike defence spending up to 5% of member states’ GDP. He said it was “always easier to invest in war than peace.” The declaration also criticised the attacks on Iran without mentioning the US or Israel, the two nations who conducted them. BRICS leaders expressed “grave concern” for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, called for the release of all hostages, a return to the negotiating table and reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution. The group’s 31-page declaration mentions Ukraine just once, while condemning “in the strongest terms” recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia. Missing bloc leadersDespite Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s push to spotlight issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change at the summit, it has been marked by the absence of several key leaders. This includes two of its most powerful members: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin continues to avoid foreign travel after an international arrest warrant was issued following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are also not attending the summit in Rio de Janeiro.The bloc doubled in size last year and analysts say the consequent lack of cohesion may challenge its ability become another pillar in world affairs. They also see the summit’s moderate agenda as an attempt by member countries to stay off of Trump’s radar. Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the BRICS bloc last year added Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. It also created a new category of “strategic partners,” which includes Belarus, Cuba and Vietnam.