Lula articulates the BRICS response to Trump

Sputnik

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, September 7, 2025, p. 15

Quito. The Brazilian government is called to lead regional integration toward a new world, international political analyst Luis Marchán of Ecuador said in an interview with Sputnik, regarding President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's call for a virtual meeting of the BRICS group.

"I think Lula's position is correct. It's clear that Brazil must lead part of Latin American integration into the new world," said Marchán, who is part of the Ecuadorian platform Iskra-Latam, comprised of intellectuals in Latin America who promote and generate thought in the pursuit of multipolarity.

The Ecuadorian analyst analyzed the context of Lula's invitation to the BRICS countries to discuss U.S. tariff policy following President Donald Trump's announcement that he would impose additional tariffs on members of this bloc, and also to address actions to promote multilateralism.

Imperialism versus multipolarity

"On the one hand, we have the United States expanding and further reproducing its imperialist reputation, its policy of tariffs and sanctions, and unilateral economic measures; and on the other, we see the emergence of a multipolar world that proposes the coexistence of powers. I think this sets a fairly clear stage for how the future will be addressed," he noted.

For the analyst, the BRICS need to consider the possibility of consolidating alternative payment methods beyond the Swift system used for international payment transfers, that is, "a tangible currency, another type of backing, a counter-hegemony to the dollar," he stated.

He indicated that this would be one of the most appropriate measures for advancing toward a new multipolar world that the BRICS could take, as it would allow them to "no longer play into Washington's blackmail or threats and open up to trade with the rest of the world," he asserted.

The political scientist indicated that it is important for the Global South, particularly Latin America, to establish another form of collective development, trade within the region, and, from Latin America, to promote trade with Russia, China, and the BRICS group in general.

"It's the ideal alternative to get rid of the sanctions and tariffs imposed by Trump and allow for the emergence of a new form of trade relations in the world," he asserted.

▲ Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, September 7, 2025, p. 15

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