RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: At a two-day summit over the weekend, the BRICS bloc of emerging economies issued a joint declaration condemning rising global tariffs and recent attacks on Iran, but stopped short of naming U.S. President Donald Trump directly.

The declaration also criticized Israel's military actions in the Middle East, while avoiding any censure of member state Russia, and mentioned Ukraine only once.

The summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, was notable for the absence of two of its key leaders. Chinese President Xi Jinping missed the BRICS meeting for the first time since taking office in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the group via videoconference, continuing to limit foreign travel due to the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a veiled critique of U.S. trade policy, the group expressed "serious concerns" about the global rise in tariffs, arguing these measures violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and risk damaging supply chains and international trade. While not mentioned by name, Trump responded on his social media platform, warning that any country embracing what he termed BRICS' "anti-American" stance would face an additional 10 percent tariff.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who hosted the summit, criticized NATO's military spending targets and called for greater investment in peace initiatives. "It is always easier to invest in war than in peace," Lula said, echoing the group's broader call for dialogue and diplomacy.

Iran, recently targeted in military strikes, was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who stood in for President Masoud Pezeshkian. The BRICS declaration condemned attacks on Iran without naming the U.S. or Israel. Araghchi criticized both countries in his speech, urging the UN to take a firm stance against what he described as human rights violations. He warned the conflict's consequences would extend beyond regional borders.

On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, BRICS leaders voiced "grave concern" over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, called for the release of hostages, a return to negotiations, and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution. However, Iran later signaled its opposition to that framework, saying it had failed in the past.

Russia's foreign ministry, more direct in its language, issued a separate statement on Telegram condemning the "unprovoked" strikes on Iran and naming both the U.S. and Israel.

Ukraine received only passing mention in the 31-page summit declaration, which condemned recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia and reiterated national positions stated at the UN.

Observers noted the summit's limited impact on shaping a unified global alternative. João Alfredo Nyegray, a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University in Parana, remarked that absent leaders and inconsistent participation from newer members undermined BRICS' cohesion.

While Lula advocated for reforming global institutions, Brazil took care not to provoke Trump's administration. Ana Garcia of Rio's Federal Rural University said Brazil emphasized trade and health cooperation to avoid economic retaliation.

Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS recently expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and the UAE. Ten additional nations, such as Cuba and Vietnam, now hold "strategic partner" status. Brazil prioritized internal institutional development to manage this rapid expansion and build group unity.