BRICS Declaration on Trade and Sanctions

BRICS and The New Delhi Declaration 2026

Overview of the Declaration:

• Adopted by BRICS members, raising concerns over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures distorting trade.
• Emphasizes the need for compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) norms.

Key Concerns Highlighted:

• Trade-restrictive actions threaten global trade and exacerbate economic disparities.
• Criticism of US tariffs and EU carbon tariffs, which violate WTO’s Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) provisions, designed to support developing nations.

Judicial and Legal Context:

• The BRICS declaration condemned unilateral coercive measures, citing their negative implications for human rights, including rights to development, health, and food security.
• Reference to the 1,325 global sanctions since 1949, with 486 imposed by the US, raising issues of extraterritoriality in sanctions enforcement.

Support for WTO Reforms:

• BRICS supports reforms to enhance the WTO as a non-discriminatory, open, and inclusive multilateral trading system.
• Commitment to foundational principles like Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment and Special and Differential Treatment for developing members.
• Urgent call for the restoration of the WTO’s Appellate Body to ensure effective dispute resolution.

Economic Indicators:

• Emphasis on the adverse effects of current trade practices on global supply chains and economic development prospects.
• Discussion on the increasing complexity of international trade and the necessity for reforms focused on development-oriented issues.

International Collaboration:

• Support for Ethiopia and Iran's accession to the WTO, recognizing China's extension of zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries to enhance economic ties.

Goals and Aspirations:

• BRICS aims for a multilateral trading system that acknowledges the needs of emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).
• Engagement in WTO reforms to strengthen its authority, relevance, and inclusivity while addressing the evolving global trading landscape.

Current Challenges:

• Deeply divided agendas between developed and developing nations pose ongoing challenges for effective multilateral negotiations.
• BRICS advocates for constructive engagement within the WTO framework to restore trust and predictability among members.

This declaration highlights the BRICS nations' commitment to addressing the complexities of global trade while advocating for reforms that equitably support developmental goals in the face of growing protectionism and unilateral sanctions.