Brasilia – Brazil is hosting the 2025 BRICS summit, bringing together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This year’s summit, held in the capital Brasília, carries significant geopolitical weight as Brazil seeks to assert its leadership among emerging economies—while at the same time, remaining cautious not to antagonize former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is a leading figure in American politics once again.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed global leaders to discuss critical issues including trade cooperation, expansion of BRICS membership, financial de-dollarization, climate commitments, and political realignment in the Global South. However, observers note that behind the optimistic agenda lies a nuanced diplomatic strategy—Brazil aims to increase influence without upsetting key Western powers, particularly the United States.
According to diplomats close to the matter, Brazilian officials have been careful with language used in policy drafts and press briefings. “Lula wants to build bridges, not burn them,” said a senior Brazilian diplomat, under condition of anonymity. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm about BRICS unity, but there’s equal caution about creating headlines that could spark criticism from Washington.”
This year’s summit has also attracted new interest from countries such as Argentina, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, who are seeking to join the BRICS bloc. Brazil has expressed conditional support for expansion but continues to emphasize consensus-building and long-term sustainability over fast-track inclusion.
Former President Trump, who may seek re-election, remains a polarizing figure internationally. His past criticism of multilateral institutions and skepticism of China’s role in global economics means that any appearance of anti-Western alignment at the BRICS summit could provoke political backlash. Lula’s administration seems well aware of this risk, especially with Brazil’s exports still heavily dependent on both American and Chinese markets.
Economists view the BRICS summit as an opportunity for emerging powers to demand greater say in global governance, but they also warn of potential instability. “If BRICS becomes too oppositional to the West, it could polarize the international order further,” said Dr. Maria Santos, professor of international relations at the University of São Paulo.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and activists have been urging BRICS leaders to focus on inclusive growth, climate justice, and global vaccine access. Lula, a seasoned statesman, has acknowledged these demands in his keynote speech, promising a “people-first” development model.
As the summit concludes, Brazil’s performance as host will likely be evaluated on two fronts: its ability to lead and inspire new coalitions within BRICS, and its success in keeping the fragile peace with powerful nations like the U.S. With strategic caution and diplomatic finesse, Brazil seems determined to walk this tightrope carefully.
Source: AP News
Published by: WSN WorldScope