The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, has informed the leaders of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) that Buenos Aires will not join the group as a full member in early 2024. This decision aligns with the commitments he made during his election campaign. In a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other BRICS members, Milei stated that Argentina’s full membership in the BRICS group from January 2024 is not suitable.
President Milei, who assumed office on December 10, emphasized that his government’s foreign policy differs significantly from that of the previous administration. He mentioned that some decisions made by the previous government, including the establishment of a body concerned with Argentina’s participation in BRICS, would be reviewed.
At the last BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August, invitations were extended to six countries, including Argentina, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, to join the group starting January 2024. During his election campaign, Milei expressed his opposition to joining BRICS and stated his desire to avoid any agreements with communists, citing their lack of respect for the fundamentals of free trade, freedom, and democracy.
A spokesperson for the Argentine presidency clarified that the messages to BRICS countries indicate a change in foreign policy, based on more in-depth analysis than that conducted by the previous government.
The recent expansion of the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is a significant development in international relations. However, the decision to expand the group has not been without its challenges. Differences in vision and approach among the existing BRICS nations have become apparent, particularly regarding the group’s future direction and the criteria for admitting new members. More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, and nearly two dozen have formally applied for membership. While the specific criteria for expansion have not been publicly detailed, the discussions among BRICS leaders indicate a focus on creating a more inclusive and multi-polar global order.
The expansion of BRICS marks a significant shift in the global geopolitical landscape, indicating a move towards a more diversified and multi-polar world. This shift could potentially reduce the dominance of the US dollar in global trade and foster increased trade and cooperation among the BRICS nations using local currencies. However, the expansion also introduces new complexities and challenges for the founding members, especially in terms of achieving consensus and managing the diverse economic and political interests of the expanded group.