BRICS Leaders Denounce Protectionism, Tariff ‘Blackmail’

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a virtual summit of BRICS leaders on September 8, 2025. Image via the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Leaders of the 11-member BRICS bloc railed against economic protectionism and “tariff blackmail” during a virtual meeting Monday held amid a damaging trade war with US President Donald Trump.

The group of emerging economies met via videoconference at the initiative of Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose office said it was necessary to address the “intensification of unilateral measures.”

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