BRICS

Will the BRICS States or Donald Trump Reshape the Liberal World Order?

Based on the principles of international law, democracy, human rights, and international cooperation, the liberal – or rules-based – world order has been one of the cornerstones of the global post-war system. However, it is currently facing challenges from two directions.

On one hand, despite their differing interests, the BRICS states share a common goal: to modernize the decisionmaking processes and working methods of Western-led multilateral institutions – particularly the United Nations, G7, World Bank, and IMF – in their favour, or to develop alternative structures. This is achieved not only through a more confident approach, including coordinated voting behaviour and increased financial contributions to international organizations, but also through the establishment of their own institutions, such as the New Development Bank. The Bank aims to reduce the BRICS countries‘ dependence on financing solutions from the World Bank and the IMF and to provide their own financial resources for infrastructure investments and credit lines.

The BRICS states justify this by arguing that these historically evolved structures – developed and largely dominated by the West – fail to adequately reflect the political and economic power dynamics of today’s world. Under the guiding principle of giving the „Global South“ greater influence and a stronger voice on the global stage, the BRICS members nevertheless pursue quite different interests. Russia, China, and Iran, in particular, are advancing an anti-Western political and economic agenda, while others – especially Brazil, India, and South Africa – are primarily interested in diversifying their international relationships.

While some BRICS countries aim to invest political and financial capital into shaping multipolar alternative structures as a countermodel to Western institutions in the geopolitical and economic system competition, others seek stronger representation within existing institutions. Even in this pursuit, however, the member states are far from aligned. This is evident, for example, in the dispute among African BRICS members over which country should represent Africa in a reformed UN Security Council.

The inauguration of Donald Trump further challenges the liberal world order from within. The American president has consistently made it clear that his primary decision-making criterion is „America First“ – both in trade matters and in security policy. However, even under previous administrations, the U.S. had long abandoned its former role as the „world’s policeman“ and now expects Europe and other regions, such as Taiwan, to strengthen their own defence capabilities and take responsibility for resolving conflicts in their respective neighbourhoods.

The U.S. Secretary of State’s meeting with his Russian counterpart in Saudi Arabia for discussions on ending Russia’s aggression – without involving Ukraine – while simultaneously skipping the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in South Africa raises fundamental questions about the transatlantic relationship.

Trump appears intent on proving that, beyond rhetoric, he can strike „deals“ that improve America’s position in line with „America First.“ This is evident in trade disputes with Canada and Mexico or in conflicts over China’s influence on the Panama Canal.

Copyright: Foto Michael B. Rehders

Gemeinsam mit der Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung, der Körber-Stiftung, dem Ostasiatischen Verein (OAV) und dem German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) laden wir, die Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit, Sie herzlich ein zur Handelskonferenz „Decoding BRICS – Beginn einer neuen Weltordnung“, am Donnerstag, den 03. April 2025, 12:00–20:00 Uhr.

Trump views the world map primarily through the lens of economic risks and opportunities for the U.S., rather than political or ideological considerations. This perspective also shapes his approach to rivals such as China, Iran, and even North Korea. His willingness to engage with anti-Western states may seem surprising at first glance, but it creates an opening that necessitates a stronger European foreign and security policy response.

For Europe’s role in the new world order, it is crucial to adopt a clear stance and demonstrate problem-solving capabilities to engage with the Trump administration on equal footing and negotiate effectively. Europe will be in a stronger position if it diversifies its political and economic relationships to avoid one-sided dependencies and mitigate risks – whether in relation to China or the U.S. In a first step Europe should expand relations with Western partners such as Canada, Japan, and Australia.

Nonetheless, it is all the more important for Europe to deepen its political and economic ties with those BRICS countries that support the fundamental principles of the multilateral system. This means strengthening relations particularly with Brazil, India, and South Africa, as well as with new BRICS partners such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.