RIO DE JANEIRO — The BRICS group of nations condemned the increase in tariffs and the recent Iran conflict, but refrained from pointing a finger at US President Donald Trump at their summit in Brazil on Sunday

The group’s declaration, which also took aim at Israeli military actions in the Middle East, spared its founding member Russia from criticism and mentioned Ukraine — against which Moscow continues to wage its all-out war since early 2022 — only once.

The bloc issued a declaration in which they raised “serious concerns” about the rise of tariffs, saying they were “inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules.”

In an indirect swipe at the US, they said those restrictions ”threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains and introduce uncertainty.”

Brazilian President Lula also criticised NATO’s decision to hike defence spending up to 5% of member states’ GDP. He said it was “always easier to invest in war than peace.”

The declaration also criticised the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities without mentioning the US or Israel, the two nations that conducted them.

BRICS leaders expressed “grave concern” for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas, a return to the negotiating table and reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution.

The group’s 31-page declaration mentions Ukraine just once, while condemning “in the strongest terms” recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia.

Despite Lula's push to spotlight issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change at the summit, it has been marked by the absence of several key leaders.

This includes two of its most powerful members: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin continues to avoid foreign travel after an international arrest warrant was issued following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are also not attending the summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The bloc doubled in size last year, and analysts say the consequent lack of unity may challenge its stated goal to become another pillar in world affairs. They also see the summit’s moderate agenda as an attempt by member countries to stay off of Trump’s radar.

Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the BRICS bloc last year added Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates as full members. It also created a new category of “strategic partners,” which includes Belarus, Cuba and Vietnam. — Euronews