United States President Donald Trump's aggressive use of tariffs and economic leverage against trading partners, including BRICS members, may inadvertently be strengthening the very incentives that make the bloc attractive, according to analysis. Trump has previously threatened additional tariffs on countries aligning with BRICS's "anti-American policies," signaling a clear message that challenging US economic power comes at a cost.

This approach, however, could be backfiring. The more Washington demonstrates its willingness to use access to its markets, financial system, and the dollar as instruments of political leverage, the more other nations may feel compelled to reduce their exposure to these US-centric economic structures. This dynamic is particularly relevant for countries outside the Western economic core, where dependence on US-controlled infrastructure carries inherent risks.

Despite the potential for increased cooperation driven by a shared need for economic protection, BRICS itself is far from a unified geopolitical entity. The bloc's 11 members—Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates—possess significant political and economic differences. These nations represent nearly half the world's population and about 40 percent of global GDP, but they lack a common ideology, security policy, or even a uniform geopolitical orientation.

Recent events have highlighted these divisions. Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates find themselves on opposing sides of a regional conflict, with Iranian and Emirati representatives clashing during a foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi. Furthermore, India and China have navigated a difficult border dispute that resulted in deadly skirmishes in 2020-2021, with relations only gradually stabilizing in the past two years.

Therefore, while Trump may not be fostering a united geopolitical front against Washington, his policies could be providing countries with divergent interests a common economic rationale for cooperation: protection against vulnerability to US power. The dollar's central role in global finance grants the US considerable structural advantages, as international transactions often pass through US-jurisdictional financial institutions. Access to US markets can be restricted, and sanctions can isolate governments and companies from parts of the global financial system.

BRICS's efforts to decrease reliance on the US financial system do not signal an imminent dethroning of the dollar as the global reserve currency, a claim often amplified around BRICS summits with predictions of a new BRICS currency. The bloc's primary goal appears to be mitigating the risks associated with dependence on a single, US-dominated economic infrastructure.

This strategic shift involves exploring alternative payment mechanisms and increasing intra-bloc trade to reduce the need for dollar-denominated transactions. The expansion of BRICS to include new members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in January 2024 underscores a growing interest in diversifying economic partnerships and creating a more multipolar global economic order.

Experts suggest that the bloc's appeal lies in its potential to offer a counterbalance to Western economic dominance, providing a platform for countries seeking greater autonomy and stability in an increasingly unpredictable global economic landscape. The effectiveness of this strategy will depend on the ability of BRICS members to overcome their internal differences and forge a cohesive economic agenda.