Several countries are beginning to show a keen interest in the BRICS grouping in an increasingly uncertain and turbulent global economic landscape. Five countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—are original members of the organization, while six countries have gotten membership of the organization more recently. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates secured membership of the organization in 2024, while Indonesia secured the same in 2025. In January 2025, 9 countries—Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Nigeria—were announced as partner countries of BRICS.
As mentioned earlier, several countries are beginning to show interest in joining BRICS in a complex global economic order. This is despite US President Donald Trump’s repeated threat of sanctions against BRICS member countries. In October 2025, the US president said it was due to his warnings that countries were showing less interest in the organization, and even countries that were already part of the organization were more cautious. Said Trump:
“Everybody dropped out. They’re all dropping out of BRICS. BRICS was an attack on the dollar, and I said, “If you want to play that game, I’m going to put tariffs on all of your products coming into the US.”
Intra-BRICS trade
Intra-BRICS trade in 2024 was estimated at $650 billion. There has been a rise in trade via local currencies within the grouping due to US sanctions imposed on Russia in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in 2022. The grouping is working towards setting up the BRICS Pay system—a cross-border payment system that will facilitate trade in local currencies between BRICS member countries. The aim of BRICS Pay is to reduce dependence upon the US dollar. While many analysts argue that BRICS Pay could emerge as an alternative to the Western-dominated SWIFT, this is unlikely due to several logistical and geopolitical factors.
Malaysia and BRICS
One of the partner countries of BRICS is Malaysia. In recent years, Malaysia has sought to walk a fine balance between China and the US. In the aftermath of the Trump tariffs, the SoutheastAsian nation has begun to reorient its foreign policy significantly and has sought to walk a fine balance. While Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has been seeking to further strengthen economic relations with China, the ASEAN nation has also managed to secure significant investments in the semiconductor sector from Western companies.
Malaysia’s trade with BRICS countries has increased. In 2024, Malaysia’s trade with BRICS countries accounted for over 30% of its total trade.
Malaysia had applied for full membership of BRICS in 2024 (it became a partner country of the grouping in January 2025). Brazil—the current chair of BRICS till December 31, 2025—has expressed full support for Malaysia’s bid. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,while expressing support for Malaysia’s entry into BRICS, said:
“Malaysia will have the support of Brazil to become a full member of BRICS.”
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexey Overchuk, also said:
“BRICS countries exchange views on global issues and views on common approaches to strategic issues that shape our modern world. In that sense, of course, Malaysia fits that criterion quite well.”
Malaysia’s cautious approach vis-à-vis BRICS
Recently, the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, highlighted the point that the ASEAN nation would follow a cautious approach vis-à-vis full membership of BRICS. He said that Malaysia would need to be cautious so that it does not in any way deviate from its foreign policy, which seeks to avoid being part of any camp or taking sides. One of the key reasons cited for Malaysia deciding to stick to its current arrangement vis-à-vis BRICS—that of being a partner country—is that the Southeast Asian country does not want to offend the US. US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said that Washington understands Malaysia’s interest in BRICS and that the ASEAN nation’s relations with the 11-member organization do not need to be viewed from a “zero-sum” perspective. He also said:“…the President has been very clear about what some red lines are and the potential consequences that would come from crossing those.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, several countries are likely to show an interest in BRICS with the aim of diversifying economic relations but could prefer partner status with BRICS as opposed to full membership.
