NEW DELHI: Foreign ministers of Brics nations, meeting on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA80), slammed Donald Trump-led US administration’s tariffs on over 70 countries, calling them a “proliferation of trade-restrictive actions” that endanger global supply chains and economic stability.In their joint statement, the ministers said they were concerned “over proliferation of trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism.”They added that in particular such “measures are used as a means of coercion that threaten to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities and affecting prospects for global economic development.”The session, chaired by external affairs minister S Jaishankar was also attended by foreign ministers from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and new Brics members including Iran, Indonesia, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt, underscored the group’s growing influence as a platform for the Global South.The meeting also underscored India’s upcoming Brics presidency in 2026, signaling its central role in guiding the bloc’s agenda.The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the participation and representation of Emerging Markets, Developing Countries (EMDCs), and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean in global decision-making, pushing for a more just and equitable international governance system.Highlighting the need for reforms in global institutions, the ministers backed comprehensive changes to the United Nations, including its Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, and capable of responding to current global challenges.They also emphasised the importance of strengthening the role of the Global South and ensuring that emerging economies, including Brics members, play a larger role in international affairs.The leaders also reaffirmed support for multilateralism, multipolarity, and the full respect of international law, including the UN Charter. The ministers stressed the importance of continuity, coordination, and institutional development within Brics to amplify the collective voice of developing nations and promote inclusive global governance, the statement added.