The recent development from South Africa demonstrates that unity in the BRICS alliance is a joke. While the 11-member bloc is all about strengthening each other’s economies on paper, the reality is starkly different. The truth is that the alliance members are now in competition with each other to secure the best trade deal with the US. Their unity has come under further scrutiny after South Africa is considering to levy 50% tariffs on its BRICS counterparts, China and India. The government is looking to impose tariffs on cars imported from China and India into the country.
Also Read: Trump Says A Weaker Dollar Is Great For America As BRICS Gains Power
BRICS: Why South Africa Plans To Impose 50% Tariffs on China and India?
South Africa is aiming to protect its automotive industry from a flood of imports, including those of BRICS members China and India. This comes at a time when the alliance banded together during Trump’s initial tariffs, calling for deeper co-operation between members.
In reality, they are scrambling to secure a deal with the US and levy tariffs on each other instead. This questions the unity of BRICS, and South Africa is not the only country to indulge in trade imbalance, which has been regularly done by China and India too.
Just recently, India invested $10 billion into rare earth mining to cut dependence on China, despite being a BRICS member. The two countries don’t trust each other but deliver statements of unity and equality during summits. They also send circulars about co-operation on trade among member nations.
All of this is thrown to the wind after the summit comes to an end. The main reason everyone is overlooking why BRICS is not successful in its quest is their non-cooperative policies. From the founding members, South Africa to China and India, none of them lend a helping hand when needed. In this way, how will they be a successful bloc?