President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit, where global leaders are expected to present a unified front against the return of U.S. protectionist trade policies under former President Donald Trump.
Touching down at 8:45 p.m. local time at Galeão Air Force Base, President Tinubu was welcomed by senior Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, and the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture.
Tinubu’s attendance comes at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, following Nigeria’s elevation to BRICS “partner country” status — a significant step up from its previous designation as a guest observer.
Nigeria was formally admitted as the ninth BRICS partner in January 2025, following reforms introduced at the bloc’s 16th Summit in Johannesburg.
As a partner country, Nigeria now contributes to high-level policy discussions and summit declarations, though it does not yet hold full membership.
This year’s summit, taking place from July 6–7, will focus on reforming global governance and deepening cooperation among nations of the Global South. However, growing trade tensions — particularly those sparked by Trump’s return to the White House — are expected to dominate discussions.
Sources familiar with negotiations say BRICS members — including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — along with new coalition members like Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, and the UAE, are drafting a joint statement condemning “unilateral and discriminatory trade practices.” While the final communique is unlikely to name Trump or the U.S. directly, it is expected to signal sharp opposition to Washington’s tariff-driven trade agenda.
Trump’s administration is reportedly preparing to notify trade partners of sweeping new tariff hikes, set to take effect on July 9 — just days after the summit concludes.
Representing nearly half the world’s population and more than 40% of global GDP, BRICS is increasingly positioning itself as a counterweight to Western economic dominance.
The 2025 summit marks a key diplomatic test of its expanded membership and its capacity to shape global economic policy in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
“This summit will likely adopt a cautious tone. While direct mention of the United States may be avoided, the message will be unmistakable,” said Marta Fernandez, Director of the BRICS Policy Center at the Pontifical Catholic University in Rio.
President Tinubu’s participation signals Nigeria’s intent to play a more active and strategic role in shaping multilateral diplomacy — particularly as Africa’s largest economy steps up its engagement with major emerging powers.
