BRICS flays Trump tariffs as coercion tactics, warns of global trade disruption

The BRICS nations have expressed concern over the imposition of tariffs by US President Donald Trump as a means of “coercion”, cautioning such actions could cause “uncertainty” in global trade.

The foreign ministers of the grouping held their annual meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly session in New York on Friday. The meeting was chaired by India — represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar — in its capacity as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2026.

In a joint statement, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) mentioned the bloc’s expansion as one of its goals. The grouping condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, as also the air strikes on Iran and Qatar, carried out by the US and Israel, respectively.

Coming down heavily on the US tariffs, the ministers said, “The rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures distorts trade practices and is inconsistent with WTO rules. Such a practice risks fragmenting global trade and marginalising the Global South”.

The BRICS nations said trade-restrictive actions had seen “indiscriminate” rise of tariffs. “These measures are used as a means of coercion that threaten to further reduce global trade, disrupt supply chains and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities,” the statement said. Economic disparities would grow and affect global economic development, it warned.

India chairs meeting, condemns Pahalgam

BRICS foreign ministers meet on the margins of UNGA session in New York

Meeting chaired by India (EAM S Jaishankar) in its capacity as incoming BRICS Chair for 2026

Bloc condemns Pahalgam terror attack; Israel, Qatar strikes

On terrorism, the BRICS ministers condemned all terror acts, including the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April. “A zero tolerance policy is needed to counter terrorism… there can be no place for double-standards,” they said.

Reiterating support for comprehensive reforms of the UN, the BRICS supported the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in an expanded UN Security Council.

Also, the BRICS said it intended to grow, despite US President Donald Trump in July having called it an “anti-US grouping”. The statement said the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to consolidate and strengthen the BRICS. “This will be done in line with membership expansion guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures adopted during the BRICS summit in South Africa in 2023,” it said. Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were added as members at the same summit.

“The BRICS expansion reflects its influence, credibility and appeal as an important platform for inclusive global governance and for amplifying the collective voices from the Global South,” the statement said.

Condemning Israel’s attack on Qatar, the BRICS called it a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty. The statement also condemned military strikes against Iran, saying this was “violation of international law and expressed grave concern over the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East”.

The BRICS expressed “serious concern” over deliberate attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.