What's the truth behind Trump's claim that BRICS is broken up?

India Today

3 days ago

Donald Trump claimed in February that all is not well within BRICS and the group has broken up. The US president said that he did not hear from the group even after slamming a tariff as high as 150 per cent. Previously, the day he assumed office in January this year, he had warned BRICS against its efforts to de-dollarise trade. He said that the US would put at least a 100 per cent tariff on the business BRICS nations do with the United States. But, why is the US president so worried about BRICS, even as he feels that the group has 'broken up'?advertisementRising dominance of BRICS as G7 constrictsFrom mere four nations in 2009, BRICS now comprises 10 countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia. The intergovernmental group accounted for 23.7 per cent of the world GDP, based on purchasing power parity, in 2009. It grew to 36.8 per cent in 2024, and is estimated to further expand to 41.8 per cent by 2030. In contrast, the share of the G7 in the world's GDP fell from 36.5 per cent in 2009 to 28.9 per cent in 2024, and is estimated to further fall to 26.3 per cent by 2030.Combined GDP of BRICS nations doubled in five years
BRICS in 2009 had a cumulative GDP of Int$19,611 billion. With South Africa joining the group next year, the combined GDP expanded to Int$22,234 billion. With the addition of four more countries, especially Iran and Egypt, the group's GDP significantly jumped to Int$72,183 billion in 2024.Another massive addition took place in 2025 when Indonesia joined the group and the GDP swelled to Int$82,056 billion. The International Monetary Fund estimates that the group's combined GDP will rise to Int$110,979 billion by 2030.Narrowing gap in exports shareBRICS is now closing the gap in global exports with G7 countries. The gap in the global exports' share of the current BRICS nations and that of G7 nations was 19.3 percentage points in 2009, which narrowed down to a mere 9.6 percentage points in 2024, World Bank data showed.Besides the BRICS nations, Thailand will also attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This shows the increasing interest of the Global South in cooperating with BRICS. This is not the first time Thailand has joined the BRICS Summit. It first participated in 2017. The Thai government has said that it reaffirms its commitment to deeper cooperation with BRICS, especially in economic development, sustainability, and innovation.Meanwhile, the 2025 BRICS Summit includes discussions about global health cooperation; trade, investment, and finance; climate change; artificial intelligence; governance; multilateral peace system and security architecture; and institutional development. Brazil has planned close to 120 events during the course of its chairship in 2025.- EndsTune InMust Watch