What comes to our mind when we think about BRICS? A bloc of emerging powers like India, China, Brazil, Indonesia...? An alliance with immense economic and market potential, boasting a population of nearly 4 billion people and accounting for about one-third of the global GDP? However, for leading Western powers, BRICS is truly a counterbalance worth paying close attention to because of its efforts to compete for global influence. In this context, the United States and its allies, by seeking a balance between cooperation and containment, are striving to preserve their position in this hegemonic race.

 

      It must be acknowledged that despite the growing strength of BRICS nations, major powers such as the United States, France, Germany, Japan,... still maintain a higher level of development and a stronger global standing. Inevitably, when handling those with comparatively lower stature, caution and skepticism are to be expected — this is evident in how the U.S. and its allies scrutinize the actions of BRICS member states. The West also harbors doubts due to the internal differences and tensions among BRICS countries, most notably between China and India. The lack of a concrete strategy for interactive development among members further deepens suspicions about the bloc’s cohesion and long-term viability (Abby Ryanto, 2025). In the economic and financial realm, the West continues to uphold a global governance structure centered around itself, rather than considering a system in which BRICS would have a greater role. As a result, commendable efforts such as BRICS’ establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) have yet to disrupt existing frameworks (Marina Larinova, Andrei Shelepov, 2020). We should also pay close attention to the role of the United States, especially in how it positions blocs like the G7 and G20 as central platforms for global economic governance and standard-setting. Let us not forget that President Donald Trump has hinted at taking stronger measures if the dominance of the U.S. dollar is challenged, and the imposition of tariffs on BRICS goods may soon go beyond mere threats.

 

       It is often said that "two tigers cannot coexist in the same forest." If such a situation arises, one of two logical outcomes may follow: either conflict and mutual elimination or adaptation and coexistence. Fortunately, the current tensions are still accompanied by more positive signs. The growing influence of such potential blocs like BRICS also apparently prompts the United States and its allies to consider cooperation within a certain framework. In an increasingly interdependent world, sanctions or trade restrictions targeting BRICS will, sooner or later, lead to significant damage to the Western economies themselves as well as to the rest of the world. Moves have already been made, and encouraging results such as the EU’s “Global Gateway” initiative, the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and other bilateral trade agreements are opening up promising prospects for cooperation and gradually shaping the global distribution of influence.

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     Such a dual-track approach from the United States and its allies is shaping a world not only defined by traditional Western powers but also by BRICS, other rising nations, and globally interconnected institutions. With these characteristics, a new world order seems to be emerging: a multiplex order, as stated by Amitav Acharya, a prominent professor specializing in international relations. He points out that what distinguishes this order from the previous multipolar world lies in the strong involvement of international and regional organizations, transnational corporations, and social movements in shaping the global power structure. This can be seen as a continuation of increasingly complex and sophisticated interactions among states across various dimensions, along with the growing influence of multilateral mechanisms. (Amitav, 2023) Within this context, the U.S.-led hegemonic system will gradually become just a prominent part, rather than the single most decisive element. Acharya believes that this trend will demand the West to adapt more flexibly, let go of its desire to maintain hegemony, and pursue more skillful strategies of cooperation. “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go” together”—this is a reminder worth keeping in mind as we look at the current landscape and the future trajectory of this unfolding global confrontation.

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       Modern history has witnessed successive systems of power division, and yet it would be too early to judge if this would usher in a more stable and enhanced phase. However, these shifts are paving the way for a more equitable participation in the establishment of international power structures, with BRICS acting as a leading force despite challenges from Western hegemony.

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(Posted in June 2025)​

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AUTHORS

Pham Nguyen Duc Minh, Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy, 51st cohort, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Lu Hoang Mai, English Faculty, 50th cohort, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Pham Dung, Faculty of International Law, 48th cohort, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

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REFERENCES

[1] Acharya, A. (2017). After Liberal Hegemony: The Advent of a Multiplex World Order. Ethics & International Affairs, 31(3), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.1017/S089267941700020X

[2] Acharya, A., Estevadeordal, A., & Goodman, L. W. (2023). Multipolar or multiplex? Interaction capacity, global cooperation and world order. International Affairs, 99(6), 2339–2365. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiad242

[3] Diwakar, A. (2021, December 7). BRICS 20 years on: A success or failure? BRICS 20 Years on: A Success or Failure? https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/brics-20-years-on-a-success-or-failure-52410 

[4] Hau, M. V., Scott, J., & Hulme, D. (2012). Beyond the BRICs: Alternative strategies of influence in the global politics of development. European Journal of Development Research, 24(2), 187–204. https://doi.org/10.1057/ejdr.2012.6

[5] Larionova, M., & Shelepov, A. (2020). The G20, G7 and BRICS in Global Economic Governance. International Organisations Research Journal, 14(4), 48–71. https://doi.org/10.17323/1996-7845-2019-04-03

[6] Kamin, K., & Langhammer, R. J. (2024). BRICS+: A Wake-Up Call for the G7? Cuadernos Económicos de ICE, 107. https://doi.org/10.32796/cice.2024.107.7802

[7] TTWTO VCCI - (Tin tức) BRICS: Thuc day thuong mai tu do va cong bang hon. (n.d.). https://trungtamwto.vn/chuyen-de/10085-brics-thuc-day-thuong-mai-tu-do-va-cong-bang-hon

[8] The BRICS Summit 2023: Seeking an alternate world Order? (n.d.). Council of Councils. https://www.cfr.org/councilofcouncils/global-memos/brics-summit-2023-seeking-alternate-world-order

[9] Ryanto, A. (2025, January 17). The BRICS bloc is growing — and Trump’s tariff threat isn’t expected to put off aspiring members. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/17/the-brics-bloc-is-growing-and-trumps-tariff-threat-isnt-expected-to-put-off-aspiring-members.html