In a shocking turn of events, the BRICS alliance, once heralded as a powerful coalition of emerging economies, is unraveling before our eyes. As leaders gather for a pivotal two-day summit in Brazil, the absence of key figures like China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin sends a stark message: the unity of this bloc is in jeopardy. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose a staggering 100% tariff on BRICS nations unless they abandon plans for a new currency, a move that could cripple the already fragile alliance.

The recent BRICS summit was expected to showcase solidarity, but instead, it revealed deep divisions and conflicting agendas among its members. Putin’s absence, forced by an ICC arrest warrant, highlights Russia’s precarious position within the group, while Xi’s delegation of a lower-ranking official raises questions about China’s commitment. Brazil’s President Lula de Silva offered only lukewarm remarks on expansion, hinting at a growing disillusionment with the bloc’s direction.

Once a beacon of hope for the Global South, BRICS now appears more like a fractured coalition. Internal rivalries—particularly between China and India—have intensified, while economic woes plague member nations. South Africa grapples with crippling blackouts and soaring unemployment, Brazil faces sluggish growth and political scandals, and Russia’s economy is suffocating under Western sanctions.

The dream of a shared currency to rival the dollar is fading, as member states struggle to align their priorities. With no cohesive strategy or clear vision, BRICS risks becoming an irrelevant footnote in global geopolitics. Meanwhile, the West watches with a mix of relief and renewed focus, as nations like the U.S. and its allies pivot to smaller, more stable coalitions.

As BRICS teeters on the brink, the question remains: can this once-promising alliance find a way to unite, or will it succumb to its internal discord and external pressures? The world is watching, and time is running out.