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Brics

Brics
Brics (an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) refers to an association of 10 leading emerging markets. The other member states are Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and China’s Premier Li Qiang at the Aseam-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26. Photo: Handout
Asean

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

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Climate change diplomacy

Brics approves climate finance framework, crafting joint stance for first time

Diplomacy

Brazilian data partnership with China draws criticism from former officials

Malaysia

My Take | From Russia with love: Anwar’s geopolitical play leaves a confusing trail

Recent diplomatic overtures have raised concern that Anwar is leaning too close to Russia and China in his bid to diversify Malaysia’s trade ties.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands after their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on May 14. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's military weapons

Will Brazil leader’s Beijing trip herald greater Chinese defence role in region?

Lula’s recent visit included a meeting with defence giant Norinco, which is reportedly seeking a major stake in aerospace firm Avibras.

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US-China relations

Outside In | China’s message on trade deals is clear: multilateral is the only way

The choice of the Swiss city of Geneva for US-China negotiations was telling, and the breakthroughs achieved are only the start of a long process.

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China-Africa relations

China on African charm offensive to rally opposition to ‘bullying’ US

While Trump targets critical minerals and specific nations, China expands influence through bilateral and multilateral engagement: analyst.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 29, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Opinion | Thanks to Trump, China has the cards it needs to win the trade war

Trump’s actions have left nations feeling betrayed while accelerating China’s self-sufficiency. These, plus Beijing’s rare earth dominance, could spell victory.

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US-China trade war

How Trump’s tariff chaos is bringing China’s ‘trade circle of friends’ closer

Washington’s hardline approach is likely to boost Beijing’s ties with Brazil and Latin America in general, according to analysts.

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Diplomacy

Meeting in Brazil, Brics foreign ministers fail to issue joint statement

Objections to expansion of UN Security Council by new, African members overshadowed consensus on ‘protectionist’ trade measures.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre) joins Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira (right) at Itamaraty Palace in Rio de Janeiro for day two of Brics diplomatic summit
Diplomacy

Brics foreign ministers tout multilateralism amid US trade policies

Bloc anchored by China, Russia, India and Brazil expected at summit to criticise ‘unilateral measures’ in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs.

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Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (left) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a Brics meeting at Itamaraty Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-China relations

Brics countries eye mechanism to help global economy: Brazilian official

Plan would follow World Bank agency’s guarantee model and help developing nations lure foreign direct investment amid Trump’s US tariffs.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Will Trump’s chaos galvanise the Global South?

With trust in Western-dominated institutions waning, the Global South is rallying for a new order that reflects its diverse voices.

Indonesia

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

Seven decades after hosting a summit that birthed the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia prioritises pragmatic ties over grand gestures.

Illustration: Huy Truong
China trade

Brazil briefly has trade deficit with China before ending quarter with surplus

The deficit, which hit $3.2 billion in February, is largely attributed to surge in Chinese imports, including solar panels.

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Electric vehicles produced by the Chinese car maker BYD unloaded at a port in Espiritu Santo, Brazil, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | As US retreats, Asian powers can reshape world order to meet their needs

Global South countries, tired of bearing the costs of globalisation, are asserting their economic visions.

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US-China trade war

China, Brazil to discuss farm exports amid US tariff escalation with Beijing

Agriculture officials from the nations gather as US-China tariff wars prioritise Beijing’s need for alternative sources of soybean and beef.

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United States

Macroscope | Trump is crashing the global system that crowned the dollar king

Tariff shock, loss of confidence in the dollar, stock market trauma and a widespread feeling of affront will only quicken de-dollarisation.

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US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (second from right) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick look on in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9. Photo: AFP
India

Opinion | How India’s diplomatic gamble with the US failed to pay off

The Trump administration has not spared India from tariff war escalations, and New Delhi is struggling to hedge beyond the US.

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China economy

Opinion | Trump’s targeting of China will only spur its economic recovery

Trump’s policies are repelling nations and academics, helping China deepen trading ties and attract talent even as the US heads towards recession.

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Banking & finance

Macroscope | World is ready to cut US dollar down to size – but not too quickly

The US dollar is too central to the global financial system for the so-called Mar-a-Lago Accord to find traction outside the US. But the search is on for alternatives.

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There has been talk of a new Plaza-type accord to depreciate the US dollar and ensure US export competitiveness. Photo: Shutterstock
United States

Opinion | Only a global ‘de-risking’ from the US can stop Trump’s trade war

A unified response is essential. Operating independently would only play to Trump’s advantage, and render nations vulnerable to his bullying.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Business of climate change

Brazil criticises developed countries for ‘no interest’ in helping others

Energy minister makes comments in the run-up to a meeting of Brics energy ministers in Brazil’s capital.

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Donald Trump

‘De-dollar’ diplomacy: Brics focus on alternative currency stirs Trump’s ire

What Trump threats against challenging the US dollar’s global primacy could mean for the future of Brics and its member nations.

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US-China relations

Opinion | The US-China Thucydides Trap is by no means a foregone conclusion

Instead, it’s a call to action. From helping mediate in Ukraine to investing in the US, China may yet defy historical negative trends.

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China and US national flags fly outside a souvenir shop in Beijing on January 31. Photo: AP

Not anti-western but ‘non-Western’: Brics urged to jointly face external shocks

Global South grouping just seeks ‘just and reasonable post-Western order’, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies report says.

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The initial Brics grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has grown to 10 members. Photo: AP
China-India relations

Brics nations divide on US dollar replacement with India declaring ‘no interest’

Bloc ‘has not formed a unified position’ on proposals to end reliance on the currency.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Trump a bigger threat to US dollar than China, ex-senior economics officials say

White House brings ‘budgetary chaos with extraordinary speed’, potentially triggering a fiscal crisis and run on US Treasuries market.

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