BRICS condemns unilateral tariffs, doesn't mention Trump

In the joint declaration they will formally approve at their summit in Rio de Janeiro, the BRICS countries will express "serious concern" of "unilateral tariffs", while at the same time not mentioning US President Donald Trump by name, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.

The agency has been given access to the text that was agreed yesterday.

"We express serious concern about the increase in unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and are not in accordance with (World Trade Organization) rules," the communiqué reads.

The trade war, launched by Trump since his return to the White House in January, is expected to be the main topic of the meeting today and tomorrow. The group brings together 11 major developing countries, including Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa, which account for nearly half of the world's population and 40% of global gross domestic product, AFP reports.

Reuters recalls that BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on the text of the declaration at a meeting in April. The joint statement nevertheless emphasizes the group's commitment to making decisions by consensus despite its rapid expansion.

Initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (hence its name - ed.), BRICS last year welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This has increased the diplomatic weight of the group, which seeks to speak on behalf of developing countries in the Global South, but has also made it more difficult to reach common positions on contentious geopolitical issues, Reuters summarizes.