BRICS seeks to expand its membership and become a champion of the "Global South," with over 40 countries expressing interest in joining the bloc to challenge Western dominance and address grievances related to abusive trade practices and neglect of poorer nations' development needs, among others. However, observers note that BRICS has a limited track record and may struggle to deliver on expectations.
World markets experienced some relief as the bond squeeze eased, with investors eagerly awaiting signals from the Federal Reserve conference in Jackson Hole and hopeful for a resurgence of the early-year AI craze. President Xi Jinping's attendance at the BRICS summit in South Africa also provided some positivity for China's economy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the need for the Global South to have more influence, as they attended a summit with other BRICS leaders to discuss boosting their presence on the world stage and possibly introducing a common unit of currency.
China's leader Xi Jinping assures the BRICS group that China's economy remains resilient and its long-term growth fundamentals are unchanged, despite challenges such as a property slump and weak consumer spending.
The BRICS summit, which aims to establish a new world monetary order and give voice to underrepresented nations, is criticized for being a nebulous concept without concrete achievements and is primarily centered around China.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for the expansion of BRICS membership, while Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the process to be accelerated, potentially boosting the group's global influence and countering the dominance of the Group of Seven. Several nations have shown interest in joining, with China taking the lead in pushing for expansion. However, India has advocated for a cautious approach due to concerns that the bloc may become influenced by its neighbor.
A group of developing countries known as BRICS, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is determined to challenge the dominance of the US dollar in global finance and trade through the process of de-dollarization, which they believe is irreversible and gaining pace. The shift away from dollar dominance is driven by recent geopolitical tensions and the desire to have more choices in global financial interactions, rather than being anti-West or anti-dollar. However, experts believe that the dollar will remain the dominant global currency for the foreseeable future.
BRICS, the bloc of emerging market nations, is expanding its membership to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Argentina, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an effort to bolster geopolitical power and counter the West on economic and political issues; however, experts question whether BRICS can truly rival the G7 or offer a viable alternative to the US dollar.
The BRICS 2023 Summit saw the expansion of the alliance with the addition of six countries, potentially leading to a shift in the global economic order and significant de-dollarization efforts, while notable absences by Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping raised concerns, and China and India made progress in their border talks.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in South Africa suggests a potential thawing of the financial relationship between the two countries, with India showing interest in a larger Chinese presence in its businesses and a softening of its screening policy for investments.
European leaders are frustrated by Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 summit, as they see him as the key decision-maker and an opportunity to pitch their views on key issues like Ukraine.
The G20, which is meeting in New Delhi, India, has seen a major shift in power dynamics over the past two decades, with the BRICS bloc now having a slightly higher combined GDP than the US, and EU countries accounting for around 20% of the G20's economic output.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 summit in India may be linked to internal politics and a recent dressing down from retired party elders, as China grapples with economic and social turmoil.
China's President Xi Jinping is shifting away from the aggressive "wolf warrior" diplomacy and positioning China as a global peacemaker, seeking alliances with the West and Asia, possibly due to economic challenges and a desire to establish more partnerships internationally.
Senior members of the Chinese Communist Party have criticized Xi Jinping for his alleged mismanagement of the economy, marking a rare reprimand for the Chinese leader who has decided not to attend the G20 summit in India this year and has expressed frustration to his aides, blaming past presidents for the current issues in the country.
President Biden aims to use the G20 summit as an opportunity to strengthen the U.S.'s position as the leader of the global system, boost funding for the World Bank, and counterbalance China's Belt and Road Initiative; meanwhile, a potential strike looms for General Motors and Ford, and the Federal Reserve plans to maintain interest rates while addressing inflation concerns.
China's economic challenges, including debt, unfavorable demographics, and a stagnating growth rate, have implications for global trade and the ambitions of President Xi Jinping, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences and strategic shifts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host the leaders of heavily indebted nations, Zambia and Venezuela, for state visits to China, prioritizing bilateral diplomacy over participation in the G-20 summit in India, symbolizing China's preference for conducting diplomacy on its home soil or within groups where it holds more influence.
President Xi Jinping's absence from the G20 summit in New Delhi has left only China to explain the reason, according to a US official, casting doubt on China's commitment to the success of the bloc.
China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin will be absent from the G20 summit, highlighting changing dynamics as leaders focus on domestic issues and pursue alternative multinational organizations, while President Joe Biden sees the event as an opportunity to engage with allies and advocate for U.S. leadership.
The G20 summit in New Delhi highlighted the shift in power dynamics, as Western leaders signed a joint statement on Ukraine with Russia, recognizing the need for realpolitik and the importance of India's role in the emerging multipolar world. The inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and calls to increase World Bank lending to developing countries further reflect this changing landscape.
The BRICS expansion, which includes countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, has raised concerns in the U.S. and EU as it poses a threat to Western-dominated financial markets, while China's influence grows and the alliance aims for de-dollarization in global trade.
The disappearance of China's defense minister, Li Shangfu, and other political upheavals are causing uncertainty about President Xi Jinping's rule and could impact other countries' confidence in China's leadership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping faces numerous challenges, including economic troubles, natural disasters, community dissent, and international conflicts, as he continues to centralize power, leading to signs of dissatisfaction and potential issues ahead.
China's economic model is in decline and will have a significant impact on global markets, according to veteran investor David Roche, who predicts long-term struggles for manufacturing-based economies and warns of potential social unrest and geopolitical problems.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's attendance at the recent G20 summit in India, along with its inclusion in the China-dominated BRICS coalition and signing of the ship-to-rail economic corridor supported by President Joe Biden, highlights the complex web of alliances and economic opportunities arising from the rivalry between the US and China. These developments show the various economies caught between the two powers seeking to build their own strategic alliances and spheres of influence.
