Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva used a Brazil-hosted BRICS virtual summit to condemn U.S. tariffs as “tariff blackmail.”
He argued that protectionist policies hurt emerging economies and called for deeper BRICS cooperation to counter unilateral measures.
Chinese President Xi Jinping echoed the criticism, warning that tariff wars undermine global trade.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that political disputes should not interfere with commerce.
The summit exposed divisions among members, with some states cautious because of ties to the U.S.
Meanwhile, Brazil faces further tensions as Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial nears and sanctions threats loom.
