The BRICS Grouping Expands: Six New Nations Join to Counter Western Dominance

BRICS Grouping to Expand with Addition of Six Nations in Effort to Counter Western Dominance

The BRICS grouping, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will be welcoming six new members next year, as Beijing and Moscow aim to strengthen the collective of emerging economies as a counterweight to Western global dominance. The announcement was made by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the host of the three-day summit in Johannesburg, on Thursday. The new members joining in January will be Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This marks the first expansion of the BRICS grouping since South Africa joined in 2010 at the invitation of China.

The addition of new members is part of a long-standing effort by Beijing and Moscow to transform the largely symbolic grouping into a platform that can reshape international trade and finance structures to safeguard their interests against potential future sanctions from the United States and its allies. Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the expansion as “historic” and a “new starting point for BRICS cooperation.”

Xi has been increasingly vocal about turning the BRICS into an “anti-hegemonic” vehicle, challenging the U.S. alliance system and dominant financial systems. The ongoing sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine have further motivated China to establish alternative global financial structures and supply chains that are resilient to Western disruption.

While not all members are fully aligned with China and Russia’s geopolitical stance, the intent to institutionalize and entrench resilient systems is clear. The long-term bet made by China is rooted in the belief that relations with the West will deteriorate, and the future of global relations will be centered around the developing world.

During the summit, Xi called for BRICS to combat decoupling, supply chain disruption, and “economic coercion.” He took thinly veiled swipes at the United States for its “hegemonic” behavior, emphasizing that the final say should not be determined by the thickness of one’s arm or the loudness of one’s voice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared via video link at the summit due to his international isolation. If he had attended in person, South Africa would have been legally obligated to arrest him because of war crimes charges he faces in the International Criminal Court.

While India and Brazil have reservations about the growing anti-U.S. agenda, China and Russia have found some developing nations more receptive to their concerns about American dominance. This is one of the motivations behind the expansion of the BRICS grouping.

China’s efforts to curry favor in emerging markets have intensified, with President Xi announcing three globe-spanning projects since 2021 to promote Chinese views on development, security, and “civilization.” Despite a decline in Chinese loans and investment in the Belt and Road initiative since 2016, China’s overall trade with BRICS members has continued to grow and recently surpassed total trade with the United States, European Union, and Japan.

Some Chinese scholars believe that Beijing has more room to maneuver due to the distraction caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has shifted the United States’ focus away from engagement with developing nations. This presents an opportunity for BRICS to become a better platform for large developing countries to voice their concerns.

The recent summit sent a clear message to the United States and its allies that China cannot be contained or suppressed, as it has friends all over the world. Analysts have likened China’s approach to the guerrilla warfare tactics employed by Mao Zedong during the Chinese civil war, where surrounding and isolating the enemy eventually led to victory. Despite the current stalemate in the China-U.S. contest, many believe that the end result is inevitable.

What steps can the BRICS take to address issues of democratic governance, human rights, and rule of law, and how can the absence of these values within the grouping impact its credibility and legitimacy on the global stage

Not be dictated by a single country or a small group of countries. Xi urged BRICS to strengthen cooperation in sectors such as technology, energy, and finance, and to deepen coordination on major international issues such as climate change and pandemic response.

The addition of the six new members will undoubtedly strengthen the collective power of the BRICS grouping. Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates bring diverse economies and regional influence to the table. Their inclusion expands the reach of the BRICS and allows for a greater representation of the developing world.

However, the expanded BRICS grouping also faces challenges. The addition of Saudi Arabia and Iran, two countries with long-standing regional tensions, could potentially lead to internal conflicts within the grouping. Additionally, while the BRICS have expressed their commitment to promoting multilateralism, critics argue that China’s dominant position within the grouping could undermine the goal of equal representation and decision-making.

Furthermore, as Beijing seeks to counter Western dominance, it is important for the BRICS to address issues of democratic governance, human rights, and rule of law. These values are often championed by Western countries, and their absence within the BRICS grouping could undermine its credibility and legitimacy.

Overall, the expansion of the BRICS grouping with the addition of six new nations reflects the changing dynamics of the global order. As the United States and its allies continue to exert influence, China and Russia are seeking alternative platforms to safeguard their interests. The BRICS have the potential to become a significant player in global affairs, but their success will depend on their ability to address internal challenges and effectively navigate the complexities of a multipolar world.