BRICS: Stepping into the Breach

This research paper analyzes the internal dynamics and global positioning of the BRICS grouping amidst a shift in US foreign policy. It highlights the economic dominance of China within the group, the tension between the narrative of equality and actual power imbalances, and the group's commitment to maintaining an open global economy and climate agreements like the Paris accord despite internal rivalries.

• While the BRICS grouping promotes a narrative of equality and consensus—exemplified by the New Development Bank's equal voting structure—the group is economically dominated by China. In 2017, China's projected share of BRICS GDP was nearly 66%, while India, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa accounted for 14%, 12%, 8.7%, and 1.8% respectively.
• The BRICS members face internal rivalries and differences that contrast with their collective goals. Examples include tensions between India and China, specifically regarding the situation in Doklam, and a rise in trade remedy investigations by India against China, which surpassed those of the US in the first half of 2017.
• Despite the 'America First' approach of the US under Donald Trump, the BRICS and China have affirmed their commitment to an open global economy and existing international frameworks, including Agenda 2030 and the Paris accord on climate change.
• Intra-BRICS trade grew nearly tenfold from 2000 to 2016, reaching over $500 billion annually. However, the group still faces structural challenges, including fluctuating trade flows and an inequitable composition of bilateral trade.
• South Africa is scheduled to chair the BRICS in 2018, with a planned 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} }