By Simon Nare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the BRICS bloc to strengthen and diversify trade and investment across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.
Addressing a virtual BRICS meeting on Monday, Ramaphosa called for a coordinated and consolidated response to what he described as a shifting geopolitical crisis.
He urged the need for greater collaboration within the bloc as tensions with the U.S. intensify, with President Donald Trump maintaining his stance on imposing tariffs.
“I strongly believe that when BRICS countries unite in solidarity to co-create solutions, we unlock tangible mutual benefits for BRICS members and the broader Global South,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said the global village is experiencing seismic shifts in trade, presenting both challenges and opportunities in the reordering of the global economy.
He highlighted a transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world, marked by intensifying competition and rising geopolitical tensions.
Ramaphosa warned that unilateral tariff actions are fostering an increasingly protectionist environment, posing significant hardships for countries of the Global South.
“The uncertainty of the new trading regime has already negatively affected employment in South Africa and remains an obstacle to our economic growth,” he said.
He expressed support for BRICS initiatives that enhance the resilience of member economies and the Global South, while strengthening the global multilateral system.
The president said South Africa’s response is grounded in the vision of an African continent on the rise—rich in talent, innovation, resources, and untapped potential.
He emphasised Africa’s aspiration to be the beating heart of global trade, not just as an exporter of raw materials but as a creator of value, a connector of regions, and a catalyst for shared prosperity.
Ramaphosa noted that South Africa is working with other countries to consolidate the African Continental Free Trade Area and stressed the importance of preserving the multilateral trading system, with the WTO and United Nations at its core.
“This is where BRICS countries should play a critical role,” he said, “as the challenges humanity faces today underscore the urgency of UN reform to ensure it is inclusive, representative, and fit for purpose.”
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