BRICS: Stepping into the Breach

The document examines the BRICS grouping's attempt to reshape the global order amid US isolationism, noting that while the group promotes equality and consensus, it is dominated by China, which accounts for nearly 66% of the projected 2017 BRICS GDP. It highlights internal tensions, such as the India-China rivalry in Doklam, and argues for the promotion of fairer trade and the upholding of global agreements like the Paris accord. The text concludes that BRICS must navigate growing rivalries in the Indo-Pacific and Eurasia to avoid 20th-century great power conflicts, with South Africa intending to prioritize peace and security during its 2018 chairmanship.

• Despite a narrative of equality and consensus, the BRICS grouping is heavily dominated by China, which is projected to make up nearly 66% of the group's GDP in 2017, compared to India (under 14%), Brazil (12%), Russia (8.7%), and South Africa (1.8%).
• Internal rivalries and differences exist within the BRICS, exemplified by the conflict between India and China in Doklam, which contrasts with the group's collective goal of changing the global order.
• The BRICS collective and China have affirmed their commitment to an open global economy and the maintenance of international agreements, specifically the Paris accord on climate change and Agenda 2030, in response to US 'America First' policies.
• Intra-BRICS trade grew nearly tenfold from 2000 to 2016, reaching over $500 billion annually, though it remains hampered by structural issues and increasing trade disputes, such as India's trade remedy investigations against China.
• South Africa's 2018 chairmanship of the BRICS will focus on peace and security, specifically aiming to create a South-led consensus on mediation, peace-building, and peacekeeping.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2017). BRICS: Stepping into the Breach. https://saiia.org.za/research/brics-stepping-into-the-breach/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. BRICS: Stepping into the Breach. 2017. https://saiia.org.za/research/brics-stepping-into-the-breach/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=BRICS: Stepping into the Breach |date=5 September 2017 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/brics-stepping-into-the-breach/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2017brics, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{BRICS: Stepping into the Breach}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2017}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/brics-stepping-into-the-breach/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }