Putin Signals BRICS Retaliation againstโฃ US Tariffs as Modi Meets wiht Russianโฃ President in China
Qingdao, China – August 31, 2025 – Russian President Vladimir โคPutin, arriving at the SCO summit in China, issued a โคpointed warning to โขthe United States regarding escalating trade tensions, โขsuggesting a โunified โคresponseโข from the BRICSโข economic bloc should the US impose further tariffs. โThe statement cameโ as Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived in China for the summit, setting the stage for potential discussions on theโ evolving global trade landscape and its impact on India.
the escalating rhetoricโข underscores growing anxieties over a potentialโฃ trade warโข initiated by former US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly advocated for increasedโค tariffs on goods from China and other nations. Putin’s comments signal BRICS – comprising Brazil,Russia,India,China,and Southโฃ Africa – may act collectively to counter such measures,perhaps โdisrupting global markets and reshaping international economic โalliances. This progress arrives at a โขcritical juncture for India, a keyโ playerโ in theโฃ BRICSโ alliance and a notable trading partner with both the US and China, forcing โNew delhi to navigate a complex geopolitical situation.
Putin, speaking to reporters, criticized whatโข he describedโค as unfair โขtrade practicesโ and the weaponization of tariffs. He stated that BRICS nationsโ wouldโ be prepared to “set down the role of duty” and respond in kind if theโ US continues to pursue protectionist policies. The Russian President’s remarks were widely interpreted as a directโข challenge to Trump’s trade agenda and a demonstration of solidarity among โขBRICS members.
Prime Minister modi’s presence at the SCO summit provides an opportunity for direct engagement with putin and other world leaders on these pressing โขissues. Discussions are expected to centre on mitigating the potential fallout from a US-led trade war,exploring alternativeโฃ trade โคroutes,and strengthening economic cooperation within the BRICS framework.The potential for retaliatory tariffs from BRICSโ nations poses a significantโ risk to โฃUS businesses and โคconsumers. India, as a major importer of US goods, could also beโข affectedโข by increased tariffs, potentially impactingโฃ its economic growth and trade balance. โInvestors are closely monitoring the situation, โขwith theโ GIFT Nifty -โข an Indian stock futures contract – reflecting heightenedโข volatility in response to the unfolding events. โ
Background: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political,economic,and security organization. the current summit is focused on regional security and โeconomic cooperation, butโ trade tensions have emerged as a dominant theme. The BRICS economic blocโ wasโ formed โขin 2009 as a platform for emerging โeconomies to challenge the dominance ofโค conventional Western financial institutions.
