BRICS has become a major global force, challenging Western dominance and advocating for greater representation of the Global South. The potential expansion of BRICS raises questions about internal consensus, particularly between Russia, China, and India, and the impact of external pressures like US sanctions.
In order to evaluate the growing influence of BRICS and questions arose with the latest news, the Ankara Centre for Crisis and Political Studies (ANKASAM) conducted an interview with Patricio Giusto. He is a Political Scientist, and a Visiting Professor at Zhejiang University and Universidad Nacional de La Plata. He is also the Director of Diagnóstico Político and a PhD candidate in International Studies at Universidad Torcuato di Tella. The following interview offers valuable insights into the expansion of BRICS, its internal dynamics, and its broader implications for global power relations.
1. What are the implications of the expansion of the BRICS for the West?
The implications of the expansion of the BRICS for the West are very relevant, starting with the fact that the BRICS, now in its expanded version, is becoming an alternative power center to the main Western blocs, such as the G7. More and more countries from the so-called “Global South” want to be part of the BRICS and the group’s agenda is diversifying, with issues that go beyond economic cooperation. The BRICS, together with the SCO, are clear examples of the rise of the Global South and the decline of the US and its main allies in the West. In turn, the BRICS is proof of an increasingly fragmented -and instable- global order.
2. Do you think there is consensus or disagreement, especially between Russia, China and India, on the expansion of the BRICS and the admission of new members?
The admission of new members has always been a controversial issue within the BRICS. China and Russia clearly have positions in favor of expansion. India and Brazil have been more reluctant. But there are shared interests among the members that have prevailed, and an agreement was reached to continue opening the bloc to new members. And this process will continue to deepen, no matter what the Western powers say.
3. Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs if the BRICS develop a common currency. Could such threats of sanctions by the US weaken the effectiveness of BRICS?
Trump’s threats would be difficult to implement. The damage that the US would suffer in retaliation for these high tariffs would be unacceptable, especially on the part of China. I understand that Trump will try to negotiate with China on the trade dispute. But it is clear that the rise of the BRICS worries the US. It is a process that neither Trump nor anyone else will be able to stop with unrealistic trade threats alone.
4. In this context, do you think BRICS can successfully accomplish de-dollarization in the long term?
I do not see the BRICS successfully promoting de-dollarization in the short term. Furthermore, countries such as Brazil and India have no interest in this idea. The dollar will continue to be the dominant currency in international trade and finance. In any case, it is clear that China’s RMB will be used more and more in international transactions, due to the growing relevance of China and the interest of many countries, inside and outside the BRICS, to reduce their dependence on the dollar.
5. Is it possible to say that platforms that bring together and develop the Global South, such as BRICS and the Belt and Road Initiative, have positioned China as a leader in the Global South?
There is no doubt that China has positioned itself as the undisputed leader in the Global South. But this has not been due to imposition or force, it is simply due to the massive size of its economy. China already represents more than 30% of global growth, being at the same time the most populated country in the world. China is a natural global leader.
6. Does the fact that BRICS membership processes depend on the political inclinations of countries, as in the case of Argentina, indicate that the platform has a fragile structure?
The BRICS is getting stronger. Only Argentina, because of the particular libertarian ideology of its new president, has refused to join the BRICS. Now, several ASEAN countries are joining, along with Türkiye. And there are another 20 countries interested in joining in the future. That is not vulnerability. Argentina has been, so far, a rare exception.
