Looking for the new economic order: why is interest in BRICS increasing?

As part of its rotating presidency, China invited the representatives of Mexico, Thailand, Guinea and Tajikistan to the next BRICS summit in Xiamen. The deputy head of the US, Canadian and Latin American Center for Democracy, Dmitry Burykh, explained the decision by the Chinese authorities.

Generally, the host country of the BRICS summit invites leaders from countries in their region. However, this year China has decided to invite representatives of countries from different regions of the world to the next summit: Mexico, Thailand, Guinea and Tajikistan. Dmitry Burykh explained to the Russian radio service why this time the host of the summit decided to do this.

"In my opinion, the most obvious reason for the decision to invite such different countries is that BRICS wants to be stronger in the international arena." In 2014, when Brazil hosted the summit, Latin American countries were invited, including The summit in Ufa [Russia] in 2015 actually hosted two summits, one from the BRICS and another from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In general, the invitation to such countries as Mexico, Thailand, Guinea and Tajikistan proves That BRICS is trying to develop relationships with other economic blocs, "he said.

The expert explained the choice of countries invited to the summit. According to Burykh, Thailand is one of the strongest members of the ASEAN, with the third GDP on the bloc. Tajikistan is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and more than that, it represents a special interest for China.
As for Mexico, the country "is at the crossroads, because NAFTA, the economic factor on which the success of the Mexican economy was based in the past years, is in doubt due to the new initiatives of Donald Trump."
"These countries are of interest not only to China but also to all BRICS countries," he added.

Burykh stressed that the participation of the BRICS summit is not a mere diplomatic step for the countries invited to this summit: they are interested in the enlargement of BRICS and in joining the bloc.

"It's not just a diplomatic step ... The launch of economic programs, such as the New Development Bank, makes BRICS more attractive to other countries." The bloc's political question is undoubtedly important, but the economic activities of BRICS Are a kind of magnet for countries and blocs that are looking for an alternative to the existing economic order, where the US dominates and the rhetoric of sanctions is observed.For example, Mexicans are tackling this problem today and BRICS is a kind of alternative To look for new markets and strengthen their positions, "he explained.

The next BRICS summit will be held from 3 to 5 September in the Chinese city of Xiamen.