Why it matters:
BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro are expected to decry US President Donald Trump's "indiscriminate" trade tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy.
Emerging nations, which represent about half the world's population and 40% of global economic output, have united over "serious concerns" about US import tariffs, according to a draft summit statement.
The big picture:
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian skipped the meeting and was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Xi Jinping Chinese President, is also a notable absentee. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also opting to stay away, but will participate via video link, according to the Kremlin.
What he's saying:
Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on the social network X on Saturday evening: "We arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th BRICS summit."
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman added: "In addition to participating in the summit’s programs, the Deputy Foreign Minister will meet and consult with his counterparts and other high-ranking officials in attendance."
Baghai concluded by writing: "The slogan of 'Inclusive and Sustainable Global South' must be advanced through comprehensive cooperation among the member countries of this organization."
Go deeper:
The 17th BRICS summit will be held in Brazil on Sunday and Monday.
Hossein Amiri
