BRICS in the World Trade Organization: Comparative Trade Policies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa

This report provides a comparative analysis of the trade policies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It examines their political coordination, their specific roles and proposals during the Doha Round negotiations, and their use of trade instruments such as tariffs, subsidies, and anti-dumping measures. The document highlights areas of convergence, particularly in defending the interests of developing countries, and areas of divergence stemming from different economic growth models.

• The BRICS countries have demonstrated significant political coordination within the WTO, most notably through the creation and success of G-20 Agriculture in 2003. This group allowed Brazil, India, China, and South Africa to coordinate a response to US and EU agricultural proposals, effectively shifting the decision-making dynamics of the Doha Round.
• There is a marked difference in the tariff profiles of BRICS members. Brazil has the lowest trade-to-GDP ratio (24% between 2008-2010), while South Africa has the highest (61%). India exhibits the lowest degree of tariff consolidation, with nearly 40% of its tariff items remaining unbound and very high bound tariffs in agriculture (averaging 113.1%).
• Agricultural priorities vary across the group: Brazil acts as a competitive exporter seeking the removal of developed countries' subsidies; China and India maintain defensive positions to protect food security and rural populations; and Russia focuses on cereal exports. Despite these differences, they converge in their opposition to Blue Box subsidies.
• In the area of non-agricultural market access (NAMA), BICS members have coordinated to defend their industrial markets. The NAMA-11 group, led by South Africa, argued that proposed Swiss Formula coefficients from developed countries would violate the principle of 'less than full reciprocity' by requiring larger cuts from developing nations.
• Trade defense instrument usage varies wildly, with India being the most aggressive user of anti-dumping measures. Between 1995 and 2010, India initiated 637 investigations and applied 450 measures, exceeding the activity of the US and EU.
• China has been the primary target of anti-dumping measures due to its export volume and its status as a non-market economy. This has led China to advocate for the revocation of the non-market economy clause in the WTO.
• Regarding intellectual property, BRICS members generally converge in opposing the US, particularly concerning the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and biodiversity. They advocate for the mandatory declaration of the origin of genetic resources or traditional knowledge in patent applications.
• The group shows significant divergence in plurilateral agreements. For example, in the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), India and China are major exporters, while Brazil, Russia, and South Africa use industrial policies to protect national companies, leading to asymmetrical interests.
• Brazil, India, and China (BIC) have strategically utilized the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), participating in 26% of all recorded disputes. Brazil is noted for having a particularly balanced dynamic involving government and private sector cooperation.
• The BRICS countries share a common interest in attracting foreign investment that incorporates new technologies. China focuses on infrastructure and mining, India on information technology, and Brazil on renewable energy and oil and gas.

APA

Thorstensen, V., & Oliveira, I. T. M. (2014). BRICS in the World Trade Organization: Comparative Trade Policies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BRICS-in-the-WTO-Comparative-Trade_20140621_web-version.pdf

Chicago

Thorstensen, Vera, and Ivan Tiago Machado Oliveira. BRICS in the World Trade Organization: Comparative Trade Policies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BRICS-in-the-WTO-Comparative-Trade_20140621_web-version.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Thorstensen |first1=Vera |last2=Oliveira |first2=Ivan Tiago Machado |title=BRICS in the World Trade Organization: Comparative Trade Policies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=March 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BRICS-in-the-WTO-Comparative-Trade_20140621_web-version.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{thorstensen2014brics, author = {Thorstensen, Vera and Oliveira, Ivan Tiago Machado}, title = {{BRICS in the World Trade Organization: Comparative Trade Policies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BRICS-in-the-WTO-Comparative-Trade_20140621_web-version.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }