BRICS leaders to hold virtual meeting on US tariffs

New Delhi, Sep 7: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will chair a virtual meeting of BRICS leaders on Monday, September 8, to discuss trade disruptions caused by US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

The meeting, called at Brazil’s initiative, is expected to focus on Washington’s tariff measures targeting major emerging economies and to seek a coordinated response in support of multilateral trade.

According to Brazilian officials, Lula is aiming to rally fellow BRICS nations without turning the session into an overtly anti-US summit.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at the talks, PTI reported. China’s President Xi Jinping will also join the meeting via video link, according to official announcements in Beijing. The US has imposed varying tariff levels on BRICS members, complicating efforts to forge a joint statement. Media reports suggest that  as BRICS chair, Brazil is pushing for a common approach to the tariff dispute, with leaders expected to exchange views on strengthening cooperation amid rising global trade tensions.