The 2025 BRICS Bomb: How Brazil, India and China Are Killing the Dollar - With Trump's Help

In recent years, the international system has witnessed a dramatic shift in the behavior of the Global South. Instead of aligning with traditional blocs led by the United States or China, these countries have moved toward “strategic non-alignment” — an approach rooted in active multilateralism, diplomatic balancing, and reducing dependence on major powers.


This shift has become particularly pronounced amid the return of Donald Trump’s economic policies and the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. The 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil and the “Rio Declaration” were prime examples of this strategic change, showing that the Global South is neither anti-American nor submissive — but reformist and independent.


Active Multilateralism over Traditional Bloc Politics
The era of absolute loyalties is over. Leading Global South nations such as Brazil, India, and Turkey no longer base their foreign policies on unwavering commitments to Washington or Beijing. Instead, they cooperate with both powers while building strong ties among themselves, creating greater leverage and strategic autonomy.


These countries have realized that the future lies in networking, not in joining a single camp. This model allows them to benefit from economic and diplomatic opportunities from both sides, without sacrificing strategic independence. This approach — the core of South-South cooperation — empowers them to pursue agendas ranging from reforming global institutions to tackling climate change with greater authority.


BRICS 2025 in Brazil: Reformist, Not Anti-American

The 17th BRICS Summit, held in July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, exemplified this new approach. Contrary to the expectations of some Western observers, it did not turn into an anti-American rally. The “Rio Declaration,” the summit’s final communiqué, focused on reformist and universal themes: structural reform of the UN and global financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, the creation of ethical frameworks for AI governance, joint investment to combat climate change, and strong support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Although the United States was not directly mentioned, the message was clear: BRICS seeks to offer alternative solutions to global challenges and challenge the West’s monopoly over global governance. The 2025 summit showed that the group has matured to the point where it can advance an independent, constructive agenda without resorting to aggressive rhetoric.


Diplomatic Balancing by Key Players

Diplomatic balancing has become the cornerstone of emerging powers’ foreign policies:

Brazil: In response to Trump’s aggressive economic measures — including threats of 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods — Brasília maintained dialogue with Washington while strengthening trade ties with China and other BRICS members to reduce vulnerabilities.

India: In 2025, India deepened defense cooperation with the U.S. under the Quad framework while simultaneously assuming the BRICS chairmanship for 2026. It increased trade with China (despite border tensions) and the UAE, keeping security and economic partnerships in separate baskets.


Turkey: A key NATO member, Turkey has openly expressed interest in closer ties — even membership — with BRICS. While remaining in NATO’s security structure, Ankara has expanded cooperation with Russia in energy and defense, positioning itself as a bridge between East and West.



The Rise of Multi-Alignment
This pragmatic approach is now mainstream. According to the February 2025 Munich Security Report, a significant share of Global South policymakers define their foreign policies as “multi-aligned.” Over 57% of these leaders identify as such. Multi-alignment means diversifying relationships to reduce geopolitical risks — without full dependence on any one power or complete alignment with its rival. It is the evolved, more sophisticated form of the 20th-century Non-Aligned Movement, redesigned for today’s multipolar world.

Trump’s Policies and the Acceleration of Realignment

Trump’s return to the White House — with his “America First” economic policies — has accelerated this trend. Heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum, a second withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, cuts to foreign aid for non-NATO members, and threats of tariffs from 10% to 100% on BRICS imports convinced many countries that over-reliance on the U.S. is risky.


Ironically, these pressure tactics drove more states toward greater strategic independence and a search for more reliable partners.

Strengthening South-South Cooperation & Reducing Dollar Dependence
In response, Global South nations have ramped up mutual cooperation: joint infrastructure investments, climate initiatives, regional transport corridors, and — critically — moves toward non-dollar financial mechanisms. This includes using national currencies in bilateral trade and developing alternative payment systems.


This trend is not limited to developing nations. Even traditional U.S. allies like Germany and France are pursuing independent channels of dialogue with BRICS and other emerging powers to avoid falling behind in the new global order. The world is shifting from a unipolar system to a multi-voiced, networked future — with the Global South playing a decisive role.


Conclusion
The rise of active multilateralism and multi-alignment in the Global South is a smart response to Washington’s bipolarizing tactics and economic pressure. By adopting a balanced approach, these countries are enhancing their role in shaping a multipolar global architecture. The 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil and the Rio Declaration are clear examples of this reformist — not anti-American — movement.

While Trump’s policies have posed serious challenges, these nations have launched climate, financial, and technological initiatives, gradually reducing dollar dependence. This path reflects a new dynamism in the Global South’s politics — one rooted in independence, cooperation, and constructive multilateral reform.


*Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Mohammad Saleh Ghorbani