Ben Norton: The US will not be able to stop the advance of BRICS.

247 - The advancement of BRICS is inevitable and represents a new phase in the economic and political reorganization of the world, even in the face of threats made by US President Donald Trump. This is the assessment of journalist and geopolitical analyst Ben Norton, in a video published on the channel. Geopolitical Economy Report, on YouTube. Norton argues that BRICS has strengthened since the summit held in Brazil in July 2025, bringing together a record number of countries and consolidating the transition to a multipolar world.

 “BRICS has grown in size and influence, and this has frightened some Western politicians, particularly the President of the United States, Donald Trump,” said Norton, highlighting that Trump doesn't even understand the composition of the bloc and makes unfounded threats.

Trump threatens, BRICS expands

According to Ben Norton, Donald Trump's bravado against BRICS intensified after his return to the White House for a second term. The US president even went so far as to claim he had "destroyed BRICS," threatening tariffs of up to 100% on the bloc's countries.

 “Trump stated: ‘BRICS died the moment I mentioned it.’ But that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Norton countered. “The opposite is happening: BRICS is growing.”

The expansion became evident at the Rio summit, held in July 2025, which brought together 20 countries for the first time — the 10 official members, including the founders Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and five new members — Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates — in addition to 10 other partners, such as Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

 “These 20 countries represent more than two-fifths of the global economy, 44% of the world's GDP in purchasing power parity, and 56% of the world's population, with 4,5 billion inhabitants,” Norton explained.

Reaction from the Global South against hegemony

Ben Norton also emphasized the political significance of the entry of countries like Cuba and Iran into BRICS, both targets of US sanctions, and the unprecedented presence of nations like Mexico, the largest US trading partner, which participated in the summit even without being a formal member.

 “This shows how countries reject the bullying from the United States,” he pointed out. “Not even the US’s closest partners want to submit to this aggressive policy.”

For Norton, the inclusion of countries historically affected by US intervention is a clear sign of resistance to American hegemony.

Lula leads the defense of de-dollarization.

According to Ben Norton, one of the highlights of the summit was the prominent role played by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who openly advocated for the de-dollarization of global trade.

"The world needs to find a way for our trade relations not to have to go through the dollar," Lula declared. "If we don't find a new formula, we will end the 21st century the same way we started the 20th century, which will not benefit humanity."

The journalist highlighted that Lula also advocated for the creation of a new commercial currency, a long-term project, but one whose initial implementation is already underway with incentives for trade in local currencies, especially between Brazil and China.

Dilma Rousseff promotes the New Development Bank.

Norton also highlighted the role of former President Dilma Rousseff, current president of the New Development Bank (NDB), who has been prioritizing financing in local currencies and without the political demands imposed by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

 "Dilma emphasized that any government that borrows in foreign currency becomes hostage to the decisions of the central banks of developed countries," Norton stated.

The accession of countries like Colombia and Uzbekistan to the NDB was seen as yet another sign of the strengthening of BRICS as a concrete alternative to the financial system dominated by the United States.

BRICS as heir to the anti-colonial movement

Ben Norton also highlighted the revival of the spirit of the Non-Aligned Movement and the 1955 Bandung Conference, mentioned by leaders such as Lula and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, during the summit.

 “BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula stated. “It is an indispensable actor in the struggle for a multipolar world, less asymmetrical and more peaceful.”

The geopolitical analyst considered the role of BRICS to be fundamental in denouncing the new arms race led by NATO and the injustices of the global financial system, which subjects the Global South to the interests of colonizing powers.

A reaction against the American empire.

According to Norton, the growth of BRICS is a direct response to the abuses committed by the American empire. He cites the increase in economic violence promoted by the US, such as sanctions, blockades, and hybrid wars, as catalysts for the bloc's expansion.

 “BRICS is not just an instrument of de-dollarization. It is a tool for decolonization,” he stated. “It is an effort by the peoples of the Global South to liberate themselves from the oppression of an unequal international system.”

According to him, even with the aggressive resistance from the United States, the BRICS' progress is irreversible.

"The more Trump threatens BRICS, the more he demonstrates to the world the importance of BRICS," Norton concluded.

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