<h1>BRICS envoys push national currencies for trade expansion at Rio summit amid tariff concerns</h1> BRICS envoys indicated the upcoming Rio de Janeiro summit will focus on expanding national currency usage for trade amid concerns over the administration's tariff policies. While supporting local currency settlements already being implemented, officials deemed a common BRICS currency impractical, requiring extensive policy harmonization. The expanded grouping, now including new members, emphasizes it's not an anti-Western bloc but a platform for sovereign equals seeking mutual respect. Representatives stressed the need for multilateral reform reflecting the Global South's growing economic influence, representing 85% of world population and 39% of global GDP, while current institutions fail to reflect this reality.