The recent BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro this April marked an important moment for the bloc’s expanding ambitions, but also exposed the limits of consensus in a more crowded room. While the talks produced alignment on some fronts, they left others conspicuously unresolved, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead before July’s leaders’ summit, also set to take place in Brazil.

Since its inception in 2009, BRICS has grown significantly in scope and influence. The Rio meeting, involving ten full members and 13 “partner countries,” highlighted both the bloc’s increasing geopolitical weight and the diplomatic complexities that come with expansion.

As expected, the expanded member country group led to longer and more complex discussions. Not every proposal during the meeting garnered unanimous support from all participants.

Nevertheless, consensus was achieved on two agenda items.

The central focus of the meeting was the new trade barriers established by the US Trump administration. Importantly, every participating country collectively condemned American “trade protectionism,” a phrase diplomatically used to avoid direct criticism of President Donald Trump, even though his policies were clearly the target.

Brazilian Foreign Minister and current BRICS Chairman Mauro Vieira highlighted the bloc’s “strong opposition” to protectionist measures. He underscored the “absolute consensus” on “trade conflicts and tariffs." Brazil's statement reflected the group's foreign ministers expressing "serious concerns about the potential for a fragmented........

© TRT World