Will Saudi, UAE accession transform BRICS?

But major differences between the founding BRICS countries and new potential members will probably significantly impact the bloc’s future. Rachel Ziemba, an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told Amwaj.media the diversity of the makeup of BRICS will likely hinder the development of initiatives involving all members. Instead, she argued, “Bilateral ties and other small groupings will be more important for pilot projects, investment and other [efforts].”

Ziemba added that the expansion of the bloc next year would amplify the existing “divergence of policy across BRICS [countries].” However, the larger membership could also increase certain joint investments and technology transfers. She additionally noted that much will “depend on decisions made by the US, including on investment screening and export controls.” This will be influenced by how far Gulf Arab states support Chinese and Russian military supply chains, Ziemba concluded.

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