How Trump and Xi's Meeting and BRICS 'City Diplomacy' Are Shifting the Global South Landscape?

A political signal of de-escalation emerged from Busan: following a one-and-a-half-hour meeting, Donald Trump announced a 10% reduction in previously imposed tariffs against China, as reported by Chinese television.

Concurrently, a new architecture of BRICS interaction is being formed at the city level: capitals have signed a joint statement on parliamentary movement, as detailed by Big Asia.

What Triggered It: What Signals Did the Trump-Xi Meeting Send?

The meeting concluded without a joint press conference but did include a tactical concession: Trump announced a 10% tariff reduction and called the negotiations "wonderful," as relayed by Chinese television. In the same report, the correspondent noted that blocs involving China – the SCO and BRICS – currently account for nearly half of the global economy.

Against This Backdrop, How is BRICS Consolidating and Expanding Its Cooperation Horizon?

The key trend is the institutional "stitching together" of platforms and sustained interest from new participants: according to Antonio Fallico, the flexibility and lack of rigid hierarchy lend BRICS strength and attract dozens of states, including rivals (India–Pakistan, Iran–Gulf monarchies), as he stated at the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum.

"The Global South is not against the West, but for the Global South… The West must join in, not object."

New institutions and agreements have been formalized at the city level: participants signed a joint statement on the parliamentary movement of capitals (the initiative launched on Oct. 21 in Beijing; discussions are ongoing at the BRICS International Municipal Forum in St. Petersburg, where the first session is dedicated to investment protection), and partnership projects have been solidified – the Moscow–Havana cooperation program and the Moscow–Zhengzhou memorandum of intent, as reported by Big Asia and confirmed by the Moscow Agency.

Are There Attempts at External Influence on BRICS and SCO?

Yes. The U.S. is attempting to introduce "cracks" into BRICS and SCO by strengthening ties with China. However, according to Alexander Perendzhiev, it will not be possible to split the organizations. He also warns of high volatility in U.S.-China relations, as he stated to NEWS.ru.

What Practical Opportunities Are Opening for BRICS+ Businesses and Cities Right Now?

The main entry points are municipal and capital alliances: the agenda of investment protection, joint solutions for megacities, and the exchange of best practices (transport, urban planning, urban ecology) have already been put on the agenda at the forum platforms in St. Petersburg.

The BRICS International Municipal Forum itself serves as a working channel for business communications: Valentin Subbot, a participant, reported on the opportunity to establish business ties with foreign partners, as conveyed by "Sevskaya Pravda 32."

What Strategic Consequences Lie Ahead for BRICS+ Companies in the Next 6–12 Months?

• U.S.-China tariff volatility persists: today's tariff reduction does not preclude reversals, which increases the value of market and supply chain diversification.
• "City diplomacy" is becoming infrastructure for projects: the emphasis on investment protection and inter-capital legal harmonization reduces regulatory uncertainty for urban PPPs and consortia.
• New agreements (Moscow–Havana, Moscow–Zhengzhou) create windows of opportunity for suppliers and integrators in transport, digitalization, ecology, and urban construction – from pilot zones to long-term exchange programs.
• The inclusive configuration of BRICS facilitates working formats even between competing states, expanding the pool of partners for co-development and localization.
• Forum platforms (St. Petersburg) are a convenient entry point for SMEs and regional players: quick access to decision-makers and to the project "roadmaps" of megacities.