BRICS Emergency Summit Convened On September 8, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended an online BRICS emergency summit convened by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin also attended, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was absent.
Criticism of US Tariff Measures Regarding concerns about unilateral measures, President Ramaphosa criticized at the outset, with US mutual tariff measures in mind: "Unilateral tariff measures foster an increasingly protectionist environment and pose significant difficulties and dangers to Global South countries."
Regarding impact on South Africa's economy, he expressed serious concern: "In South Africa, uncertainty in the new trade regime has already adversely affected employment levels and become an obstacle to economic growth." While avoiding direct criticism of the US, he indicated that unilateral measures not based on rules are delivering major blows to the Global South.
BRICS Unity and Multilateral System Strengthening For BRICS cooperation enhancement, he stated: "We support BRICS initiatives that enhance the economic resilience of BRICS countries and Global South nations and strengthen the global multilateral system" and "BRICS countries should play an important role in strengthening the multilateral system."
Regarding WTO reform support, he declared: "South Africa reaffirms its support for reform initiatives led by the WTO" and "BRICS countries must support reforms being conducted at the WTO," clearly indicating intentions to respect multilateral consultations and decision-making on trade rules.
New Initiatives as G20 Chair As the first African G20 chair, South Africa is serving as the first African G20 chair in 2025, with President Ramaphosa expressing his determination to "bring Africa's voice to the G20."
For the Global Inequality Special Committee, he announced the establishment of an "Independent Expert Special Committee on Global Wealth Inequality" chaired by Nobel Economics Prize winner Professor Joseph Stiglitz, planning to submit a report on global inequality to G20 leaders.
Strong US Response Regarding statements from US economic advisors, Peter Navarro, who serves as economic advisor to US President Donald Trump, expressed displeasure to media with harsh words: "BRICS countries are vampires that drain America's blood through unfair trade practices" (September 9 edition of Indian economic newspaper "Economic Times").