BRICS Urges Local Currency Payments, Slams Unilateral Trade Barriers

BRICS issued a joint statement criticizing unilateral customs and non-tariff measures that distort trade, calling for smoother trade, supply chains, and energy flows, and advocating enhanced cross-border payment solutions. The move signals a coordinated push to reduce dollar dependence and counter Western trade restrictions, though concrete mechanisms remain unspecified. This aligns with BRICS' ongoing de-dollarization agenda and could pressure global payment systems.