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Economic Cold War? BRICS Coalition Declares Resistance to Trump-Era Trade Barriers
Leaders of the BRICS nations gathering in Rio de Janeiro from Sunday are poised to voice strong opposition to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade tactics. However, they face internal discord over how to address escalating crises in the Middle East.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Representing nearly half of the world’s population and around 40% of global GDP, the BRICS bloc—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is expected to issue a collective rebuke of what they deem unjust U.S. import tariffs, according to sources close to the summit negotiations.
Since assuming office in January, Trump has targeted both allies and adversaries with a series of steep tariffs. His latest move, beginning Friday, involves sending official notices to several trade partners ahead of new tariff hikes set for July 9.
Diplomats from 11 emerging economies have been working on a statement condemning the volatility these trade measures have introduced into the global economy. While the final communiqué is unlikely to explicitly name the U.S. or Trump, insiders say the message will unmistakably be directed at Washington.
“This summit will adopt a careful tone. It’s unlikely the United States will be mentioned by name,” said Marta Fernandez, director of the BRICS Policy Center at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.
Fernandez noted that China, which only recently reached a truce with the U.S. over mutual tariffs, is especially wary of igniting fresh tensions with Washington. “Now is not the time to stoke further conflict between the world’s two largest economies,” she added.
Xi’s Absence Overshadows Summit
Though BRICS was originally conceived as a coalition of fast-growing economies, it has increasingly evolved into a China-led alternative to Western influence. Yet, this year’s summit will lack some of its usual political weight due to the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping—his first time missing the annual gathering in 12 years.
“There will undoubtedly be speculation about why Xi chose to skip,” said Ryan Hass, a former China director at the U.S. National Security Council and now a fellow at the Brookings Institution. He suggested Xi may be stepping aside to avoid being overshadowed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is being honored with a state lunch by host President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, will also be absent in person, though he plans to join via video link, according to the Kremlin.
Hass suggested that the combined optics of Putin’s virtual attendance and Modi’s prominent role may have influenced Xi’s decision to delegate the trip to Premier Li Qiang instead.
For President Lula, Xi’s absence is a setback. In a single year, Brazil is hosting the G20 summit, the BRICS summit, and COP30 climate talks—an ambitious diplomatic push ahead of next year’s critical presidential elections in which Lula is expected to seek re-election.
Discord Over Middle East Response
Another major challenge for the summit is reaching a consensus on the conflicts in the Middle East. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose country recently endured a 12-day war with Israel, is also skipping the event.
Negotiators remain divided over the bloc’s official stance on both the Gaza conflict and the recent Iran-Israel confrontation. While some BRICS members prefer moderate language focused on peaceful resolution and Palestinian statehood, Iran is reportedly lobbying for a more assertive joint position.
Despite these challenges, host Brazil hopes the BRICS alliance can maintain a united front. “BRICS countries have historically spoken with one voice on major global issues, and we see no reason why this shouldn’t be the case now with the Middle East,” Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told AFP.
The summit will also tackle broader topics, including advancements in artificial intelligence and global health cooperation. With newer members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Indonesia recently joining the group, analysts say BRICS is gaining geopolitical heft—though with that comes increased complexity and competing interests.
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has appealed to residents of Abia State and other road users along the Aba–Azumini highway to protect the newly completed road from activities that could damage it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
FERMA’s South-East 2 Zonal Director, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, issued the warning during an inspection of the project, cautioning against the burning of tyres during celebrations, which he said could damage the road surface.
He noted that destructive practices by some youths and community members often contribute to the early failure of road projects across the country.
“Our advice to road users, especially indigenes, is to protect the road from destruction. Let nobody come and destroy it or burn tyres in the name of celebration,” he said.
Omonowo said the Aba–Azumini highway was previously in a very bad condition before FERMA intervened, describing it as a death trap for commuters and residents.
He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the project, adding that drainage structures such as catch pits would help prevent flooding and extend the lifespan of the road.
According to him, the highway serves as a major link between Aba, several Abia communities, and Cross River State, carrying heavy traffic daily.
He urged local construction firms to improve on quality delivery to compete effectively with foreign contractors.
Meanwhile, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, said FERMA workers have not faced harassment or violence from residents during operations in the state.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Yobe State Command, has declared a 30-year-old inmate wanted after he escaped following a road accident involving a prison transport vehicle.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The incident reportedly occurred on April 13, 2026, while inmates were being conveyed from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Potiskum to Damaturu.
In a statement issued in Damaturu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Abdullahi Adamu, said the vehicle conveying the inmates was involved in a crash during the journey.
He said the accident happened while efforts were ongoing to rescue those affected.
The escaped inmate was identified as Dahiru Mohammed, with prison number J/1539/24, who was admitted into custody on November 29, 2024.
The Correctional Service described him as dangerous and warned members of the public not to have any form of contact with him.
It urged residents to report any useful information that could lead to his re-arrest to the nearest security agency.
Authorities also cautioned that harbouring a fugitive is a criminal offence punishable under the law.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the University of Ibadan (UI) to reinstate three students suspended over their participation in a protest against tuition fee hikes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Maha set aside the decision of the university’s Central Student Disciplinary Committee, ruling that the students were denied fair hearing during the disciplinary process.
The court held that the failure to allow the students call witnesses and present evidence violated their constitutional right to fair hearing, rendering the sanctions against them invalid.
The affected students — Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus — were suspended on July 14, 2025, after taking part in a protest against increased school fees approved by the university’s governing council.
Dissatisfied with the suspension, they approached the court, arguing that the disciplinary proceedings breached their fundamental rights and due process.
They asked the court to quash the suspension, reinstate their studentship, and award damages for alleged rights violations.
In her ruling, Justice Maha agreed with their arguments, stating that the university’s actions failed to meet the standards of natural justice.
Following the judgment, rights group CAPPA hailed the decision, urging the university to comply fully, reinstate the students, and issue an apology.
The group said the ruling reinforces constitutional protections for freedom of expression and serves as a warning against the suppression of student protests in tertiary institutions.
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