The BRICS group, comprising 11 leading emerging economies, issued a firm stance against protectionism and unpredictable tariffs during a foreign ministers’ gathering held alongside the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This declaration comes amidst considerable disruption to global trade, largely influenced by recent tariff policies and fluctuating rates implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The critical BRICS meeting, hosted by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, strongly denounced Israel’s attack on Qatar earlier this month. The ministers also conveyed profound worries regarding Palestine, citing persistent Israeli assaults. Additionally, they condemned the April terror attacks that occurred in Pahalgam.
Minister Jaishankar emphasized on a social media platform that “As rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system.”
The BRICS bloc, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China and now expanded to 11 members, has drawn scrutiny from Mr. Trump, who perceives it as challenging American interests and the dominance of the U.S. dollar. Mr. Trump’s administration has imposed high tariffs on some BRICS nations, including China and Brazil, with the latter currently facing 50% tariffs.
The BRICS statement specifically highlighted “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules.” The member countries cautioned that such measures could fragment global commerce and disadvantage the Global South. While the statement did not explicitly name the U.S. or its specific policies, the context was clear.
During the meeting, BRICS nations also “rejected” unilateral climate-related tariffs, such as Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs). These mechanisms have created tension in trade relations, notably between India and the European Union, which is introducing such a tax. The United Kingdom, having recently finalized a trade agreement with India, also plans to implement a CBAM starting in 2027.
The BRICS ministers collectively condemned Israel’s September 9 airstrike on Qatar, labeling it a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and “a grave breach of international law, including the UN Charter.”
Regarding Iran, the joint statement condemned attacks “since June 13, 2025,” including those targeting Iran’s “civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities” which are under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the global nuclear watchdog. The countries reiterated that nuclear safety must always be maintained and expressed support for regional diplomatic efforts. The statement refrained from explicitly mentioning Israel or the U.S. as responsible for the strikes on Iran.
Addressing the Israel-Gaza conflict, the ministers stated that Israel’s “persistent” attacks on Gaza have inflicted “unprecedented suffering on the civilian population, ravaged by deaths, destruction, and famine.” More than 65,000 lives have been lost in Gaza since the conflict’s most recent escalation in October 2023, which began with Hamas’s attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Over 80 additional deaths were reported since Wednesday following Israeli attacks on Gaza City.
The BRICS nations urged an immediate ceasefire in the region, calling on Israel to halt its attacks and withdraw its troops. They also condemned the displacement of the Palestinian people and reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution, envisioning a Palestinian state encompassing the Gaza Strip and West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Furthermore, BRICS countries underscored their backing for UNRWA, the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, despite Israeli accusations against some of its staff, which UN officials deny.
No mention of Hamas
The statement called for the release of the remaining hostages captured on October 7. However, there was no direct mention of Hamas, the group holding the hostages.
While the principle of national sovereignty was mentioned in a paragraph where the BRICS group reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Charter (paragraph 4), the specific term ‘territorial integrity’ was notably absent in this context. Respect for territorial integrity has frequently been invoked, including by India, in discussions concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which commenced with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Instead, the term appeared when discussing cooperation among BRICS members regarding regional crises in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, where the countries advocated for solutions achieved “exclusively through dialogue and based on unconditional respect” for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
BRICS countries advocated for more equitable representation at the UN and called for reforms within multilateral organizations, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Bretton Woods institutions. It is significant to note that China, a BRICS member, has not supported India’s aspiration for a permanent seat on the Security Council.
India is set to chair BRICS in 2026, with its agenda focusing on critical areas such as food and energy security, climate change, sustainable development, digital technology, and supporting startups, as stated by Mr. Jaishankar.