Brazil bets on BRICS to counter Trump’s expansionism

Source: O GLOBO | Original Published At: 2026-01-15 18:56:04 UTC

Key Points

• Brazil positions BRICS as a mechanism to counter U.S. dominance in international systems, particularly financial structures reliant on the dollar.
• Trump's administration views BRICS as a challenge to U.S. primacy, creating potential risks for Brazil's strategy.
• BRICS' expanded membership (including Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc.) aims to preserve international stability amid U.S.-led fragmentation.
• The 2025 Brazil BRICS summit and 2026 India summit prioritize defending multilateral institutions like the UN, WTO, and WHO.
• Brazil acknowledges potential U.S. retaliation but frames BRICS strengthening as non-confrontational, focusing on global governance predictability.