Estadão suggests departure from Brazil from BRICS and defends submission to the USA

The newspaper The State of S. Paulo He published on Monday, 21, an editorial in which he argues that Brazil leaves BRICS, a group formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Entitled “Brazil pays Lula’s recklessness”, the text argues that the current foreign policy adopted by the federal government would be generating negative impacts on the country, especially after the imposition of a 50% tariff on Brazilian products.

In the editorial, the newspaper states: “Lula’s decision to align Brazil to China and Russia will be under the pretext of strengthening the BRICS against the US of Trump.” The text associates Brazilian foreign policy with an alleged “reckless alignment” with the two countries, ignoring the geopolitical weight of the bloc, which represents more than 40% of the world’s population.

The editorial directly criticizes the performance of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and considers Brazilian participation in BRICS as a risk movement for the economic and diplomatic scenario. “The only way to save Brazil from the deleterious effects of this decision would be to abandon this block, which is lending solely to Chinese and Russian projects, without any concrete and long -term gain for the country,” says the newspaper.

The publication does not mention, however, the recent BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, an event that was attended by representatives of dozen countries and dealt with guidelines such as infrastructure financing, use of local currencies in international trade and the reform of multilateral financial institutions.

O Estadão Nor does it mention the direct effects of the tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump, who began his second term in 2025 with economic measures aimed at protecting the domestic market. The new rate of 50% on Brazilian products was announced amid a context of diplomatic and commercial tension with countries that make up the BRICS.

In the editorial, the newspaper relates the Lula government’s foreign policy to increased international pressure by the US. According to the text, Brazilian performance was being misunderstood by traditional Western allies and could compromise strategic trade relationships. The newspaper’s criticism is made without addressing the measures adopted by Washington to contain judicial investigations against former President Jair Bolsonaro, briefly mentioned as “Jair Bolsonaro’s irresponsibility” without deepening the issue.

Throughout the editorial, the Estadão It characterizes BRICS as a platform in the service of Chinese and Russian interests. The newspaper writes: “BRICS is exclusively projecting China’s power in contrast to the US and the West.” He adds: “Support to Russia works as a backing to Vladimir Putin’s imperialism.”

The publication also does not bring reference to the recent initiatives of the Novo Development Bank, known as Banco do Brics, nor to the negotiations to expand the bloc with new member countries. The editorial does not analyze cooperation agreements signed in the latest multilateral meetings or the joint positions related to international peace, food security and sustainable development.

The position of the newspaper contrasts with the current Brazilian foreign policy, which has sought to expand dialogue with different economic blocks and invest in multilateral diplomacy. Brazil has reinforced, in the latest international domes, the need for diversification of business partnerships and strengthening ties with global southern countries.

During the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, the federal government highlighted the importance of an international system based on multiple power centers and cooperation between developing countries. The representatives present dealt with topics such as infrastructure financing, environment, use of local currencies in commercial transactions and inclusion of new members to the group.

The editorial also does not address data on the growth of trade between BRICS countries nor studies on positive impacts for member countries in terms of investment, technological cooperation and strengthening regional productive chains.

The defense of the Brazilian departure from BRICS, made by Estadãorekindles the debate about the role of Brazil in the global scenario. The country has sought to balance its performance between different poles of power and expand its international insertion based on multiple alliances. The newspaper’s position, however, points to a line of action focused on the resumption of automatic alignment with the United States.

By stating that “BRICS does not offer any concrete and long -term gain for the country”, the editorial presents a critical assessment of the strategy adopted by the current government, but does not have comparisons with the effects of previous foreign policies, nor detailed alternatives to strengthen the Brazilian economy and international position.

The publication is inserted in a geopolitical context of forces realignment, in which Global South Countries seek to broaden their representation in international forums. The attitude adopted by Brazil in recent years has prioritized the expansion of diplomatic channels, strengthening national sovereignty and diversification of foreign relations.