For the first time in over a decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping is absent from the annual BRICS summit, which begins this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This marks a surprising departure for the Chinese leader, who has long championed BRICS as part of his strategy to reshape global power dynamics in favor of the Global South.
A Crucial BRICS Gathering Without Its Key Leader
This year’s BRICS summit comes at a significant time. Now expanded to include Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran, BRICS represents a growing coalition of emerging economies. However, several members face looming US tariffs and economic uncertainty stemming from President Trump’s aggressive trade measures and military actions, including joint US-Israel strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Xi’s absence has raised eyebrows, especially as he has frequently positioned China as a reliable global leader compared to the United States. Instead of attending personally, Xi has sent Premier Li Qiang to lead the Chinese delegation. Analysts believe this does not signal a shift in China’s commitment to BRICS, but rather reflects a strategic decision to focus on domestic priorities amid growing economic challenges at home.
Who’s Showing Up and Who’s Not?
Xi isn’t the only major figure missing. Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend via video link, as Brazil is a member of the International Criminal Court and would be obligated to arrest him over war crimes allegations if he appeared in person.
This leaves Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the most prominent head of state attending in person. His presence, along with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, will ensure continued leadership representation at the summit. Meanwhile, leaders from new BRICS members like Indonesia are also expected to participate, further emphasizing the group’s recent growth.
Despite the notable absences, recent diplomatic engagement between Xi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has likely softened the impact. Xi visited Brazil for the G20 summit last November, and Lula made a state visit to China shortly afterward.
China’s Agenda in Xi’s Absence
Although Xi won’t be in Rio, Premier Li Qiang will be pushing key Chinese priorities. These include strengthening energy ties with oil-exporting BRICS members and expanding the use of China’s digital and offshore currencies within the group to reduce dependency on the US dollar.
Observers say Xi’s absence shouldn’t be seen as a snub. Rather, it reflects realistic expectations for this summit and China’s increasing focus on internal economic reforms as it navigates slowing growth and global tensions.
The Push for De-dollarization
The BRICS group was formed in 2009 as a counterbalance to the G7, and its members continue to push for a multipolar global order. A consistent theme has been the desire to reduce reliance on the US dollar in trade.
Though there’s little expectation that the summit will produce a BRICS-wide currency—a concept suggested by Lula in 2023 and criticized by Trump—calls to use national currencies in cross-border transactions are expected to continue. Russia and Iran, both under heavy US sanctions, are particularly invested in this goal.
As BRICS members meet in Rio, the world will be watching to see how strongly they advocate for economic independence and whether their messaging challenges America’s dominance—or bends under its weight.
