In today’s episode of What’s going on with BRICS:
2025 ChaosUnpacked
Trump TariffsGlobal Shifts
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Coming to you today from [location to be filled by owner].
What’s in the News
* 2025: A year of global chaos and confusion
* Gideon Rachman’s FT year-end review calls it a whirlwind of upheaval – Trump’s return upended trade, alliances frayed, and economic shocks rippled everywhere.
* Tariffs dominated, sparking retaliation and market swings.
* Gold rallied to records as investors fled uncertainty.
* Trump’s tariffs shake the world economy
* Aggressive duties on China, EU, and others aimed at rebalancing trade.
* Result: Higher consumer costs, downgraded growth forecasts, and strained alliances.
* Dollar weakened amid prolonged trade war fears.
* The strongman race: Trump, Xi, Putin
* Rachman compares leaders – China ends year economically stronger despite slowdowns.
* Russia holds ground in Ukraine; US inward focus opens space for rivals.
* Multipolar dynamics speed up as Western cohesion cracks.
* Latin America swings right amid crime wave
* Rising violence and economic woes boost strongman politics across the region.
* Shift creates openings for BRICS influence in the US backyard.
* EU-Mercosur trade deal hangs in balance
* Long-stalled pact with South America faces critical vote, delayed by protests and politics.
* Europe scrambles for alternatives amid US tariffs.
* China’s corporate profits slump
* Steep November fall wipes out yearly gains; Beijing cracks down on over-investment.
* Internal demand and BRICS trade help offset losses.
* Canada accelerates Mercosur talks
* Pushes free trade deal to diversify from US tariff risks.
* Part of wider global rerouting trend.
* Risks and realignments shape 2026 outlook
* FT highlights trade faultlines, AI races, and prosperity shifts.
* Western confusion contrasts with BRICS’ steady multipolar build-out.
