BRICS Nations Express Concern Over Indiscriminate Rising of Tariffs, Coercive Measures That Threaten Global Trade

PTI, United Nations/New York, Sept 27 – The BRICS nations have expressed concern over the proliferation of trade-restrictive actions in the form of "indiscriminate rising" of tariffs, particularly measures used as a means of "coercion", cautioning that such practices risk marginalising the Global South countries.

The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations held their annual meeting on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly here Friday. The meeting was chaired by India in its capacity as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2026.

In a joint communiqué, adopted following the meeting, the Ministers "expressed concern over proliferation of trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism, in particular measures used as a means of coercion that threaten to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities and affecting prospects for global economic development."

The BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates – voiced "serious concerns" about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. "They cautioned against such practices that risk fragmenting global trade and marginalising the Global South," the joint statement said.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers, highlighted that as rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system. Jaishankar said when multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change.

"In a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law," he said in a post on X. The External Affairs Minister added that BRICS must amplify its collective call for a comprehensive reform of the principal organs of the United Nations, especially the UN Security Council.

Technology and innovation will define the next phase of BRICS cooperation. He said India's Chairship of BRICS will focus on food and energy security, climate change, and sustainable development through digital transformation, startups, innovation, and strengthened development partnerships.

The BRICS ministers also extended their full support to India for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 and the holding of the BRICS Summit in India. The Ministers said they also look forward to the Standalone Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations in India in 2026.

In the joint statement, the ministers condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured.