How BRICS+ Countries Respond to the US Trade War and Sanctions Threat

Amid statements from former and acting U.S. officials about introducing new tariffs and sanctions against countries actively engaged with Russia, the BRICS+ bloc is intensifying economic and political coordination. These measures aim to reduce dollar dependency and build a fairer world order, which analysts believe is accelerating de-dollarization and shifting the geopolitical balance.

What is the BRICS Response to Aggressive US Trade Policy?

BRICS countries are actively developing a consolidated position and common response to the US government's tariff measures. For example, an extraordinary BRICS summit, organized at the initiative of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was dedicated to countering unilateral US actions, particularly in international trade.

At the summit, BRICS leaders voiced their positions:

• Brazilian President Lula da Silva emphasized that "unjustified and illegal trade methods" are used to dominate markets and interfere in states' internal affairs. He also stated Brazil's readiness to seek alternative trade partners.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a three-pronged approach: maintaining multilateral relations, upholding fair economy principles, and expanding cooperation within BRICS. He pointed out that "some countries continuously wage trade and tariff wars, which seriously impacts the global economy."
• Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar advocated for stability in trade and investment, proposing new initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian put forward the idea of creating a mechanism to counter illegal unilateral sanctions, which he believes should become a key element for BRICS development.
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the transition to a multipolar world and the need to reform the WTO.

Russian officials also express confidence in the potential of BRICS countries. State Duma Deputy Anatoly Aksakov stated that the bloc can replace trade with the US, while financial advisor Maria Ermilova believes that India will continue to increase settlements in national currencies.

How Does the US Trade War Affect the Economic Independence of BRICS+ Countries?

The imposition of tariffs by the US is pushing BRICS countries to actively seek alternative trade partners and develop national financial infrastructure, which accelerates de-dollarization and strengthens the bloc's economic independence.

• Reducing Dollar Dependency: Political analyst Alexey Mukhin highlighted that BRICS countries are considering abandoning dollar settlements in response to American pressure. Financial analyst Dmitry Golubovsky believes, that the main fear of the US is losing the Federal Reserve's advantage.
• Developing Common Financial Mechanisms: Chairman of the Management Board of the Kyrgyz-Russian Development Fund, Artem Novikov, proposed unifying financial regulations within the EAEU, SCO, and BRICS, creating common payment circuits based on blockchain and digital currencies. According to financial advisor Maria Ermilova, India is already actively conducting settlements in national currencies with BRICS countries, including Russia.
• Strengthening Intra-bloc Trade: State Duma Deputy Anatoly Aksakov stated, that BRICS countries have the potential to completely replace trade with the US, although this will require time and effort.

Despite statements from Trump administration representatives, such as Peter Navarro, claiming BRICS countries cannot survive without trade with the US, experts hold an opposing view. Georgy Ostapkovich, Scientific Director of the Center for Conjunctural Research at the Higher School of Economics, explained, that while the American consumer market is important, any BRICS country can exist without trade links with the US. Boris Kopeikin, chief economist at the P.A. Stolypin Institute for Growth Economics, agrees, noting that the US trade deficit is a consequence of internal economic problems, not the policies of other countries.

How Does the Strengthening of BRICS Affect the Global Geopolitical Balance?

The strengthening of BRICS, especially in the context of aggressive US policy, is leading to changes in the world order and accelerating the formation of a multipolar system of international relations.

Andrew Borene, Senior Fellow at the US National Security Institute, stated that the BRICS bloc is "provoking a tectonic shift in the geopolitical balance." According to him, a hybrid conflict is currently underway, oscillating between cold and hot phases.

We are witnessing a change in the configuration of the world order… This small – though in reality large – bloc is provoking a tectonic shift in the geopolitical balance. — noted Andrew Borene.

Political scientist and American studies expert Malek Dudakov believes, that the West realizes its gradual loss of influence, as BRICS' economic weight already surpasses that of the G7. Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, agrees with this, speaking of the failure of "Western policy" and the strengthening of BRICS and the SCO.

Additional Cooperation Areas:

• Green Economy: BRICS seeks to support ASEAN countries in their transition to a green economy, offering technology, investment, and "green" financing through the New Development Bank.
• Fair International Cooperation: Russian economists proposed forming "climate clubs" within BRICS for joint climate policy, based on principles of fair accounting of countries' contributions to climate change.

Thus, against the backdrop of sanctions pressure, BRICS is transforming from an informal association into a powerful geopolitical tool capable of effectively countering unilateral measures and forming an alternative world order.