The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday confirmed that EAM S Jaishankar will participate in the virtual BRICS Leaders’ Summit hosted by Brazil on September 8. The summit, convened by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, will deliberate on the steep tariffs imposed on India and Brazil under US President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
The Brazilian Chair of BRICS has called for a virtual meeting. This meeting will be held on September 8th. From India, it will be the External Affairs Minister who will be participating in it. This BRICS summit is at the Leaders’ level,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a press briefing.
According to media reports, President Lula da Silva is convening a virtual meeting of BRICS leaders to deliberate on former US President Trump’s trade policy. The reports added that the Brazilian leader aims not only to discuss the tariffs imposed by Washington but also to gather emerging nations in support of multilateralism.
Trump’s administration imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods at 50% from 10% commencing in August, while extending support for far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial before the country’s top court over allegedly orchestrating a coup attempt following his 2022 election loss.
Meanwhile, Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
Leaders from India and Brazil have slammed Washington’s move, terming it discriminatory and harmful to global supply chains. They criticised that such measures put down the principles of free trade and multilateralism.
Earlier in July, Trump put tariffs on 10% on all BRICS nations for promoting de-dollarisation.
In July, Trump in his statement, had said that he does not perceive these countries as stronger but as countries that undermine USA policies. In a joint statement, BRICS’ nations condemned Trump’s tariff policies by terming it as “weaponisation of trade” and a method of coercion.