BRICS Warn Tariffs Will Hurt Global South
At the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, BRICS nations voiced “serious concerns” about a rise in unilateral tariffs and non-tariff barriers. They warned that such protectionist policies risk marginalising the Global South and fracturing global trade.
Trade Measures Seen as Coercive
In a joint communiqué, the group said indiscriminate tariff increases and coercive trade measures distort markets and go against WTO rules. They cautioned that such steps could disrupt global supply chains, reduce trade volumes, and introduce economic uncertainty.
Impact on Developing Nations
The BRICS bloc argued that poorer and emerging economies would bear the brunt of these policies. They said that marginalisation through trade restrictions would worsen inequality, hamper development, and weaken their voice in global trade talks.
Call for Multilateralism
To counter these trends, the bloc urged adherence to multilateral trade principles, stronger dispute settlement, and restraint in using trade as a tool for coercion. They called on all countries to avoid protectionism and respect fair rules.
The statement reflects growing frustration among large emerging economies over current trade dynamics and their potential to reshape the global economic order.
