Illustration: GT

Despite the US' hyperbolic threats of 100 percent and 150 percent tariffs on BRICS, the group's enlargement in Asia highlights its resilience and the growing desire among countries to collaborate in building a prosperous and secure future. 

In recent years, the BRICS countries have emerged as a significant force in the global economic and geopolitical landscape. The group has steadily expanded its influence. 

At the beginning of 2025, Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian nation to formally join BRICS. Three other ASEAN countries - Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, have become the group's partner countries.

This underscores BRICS' growing economic influence in Asia and highlights the increasing interconnectedness of the ASEAN region. This growth underscores the group's increasing relevance and its role in shaping a multipolar world order. 

The continued enlargement of BRICS in Asia marks a significant milestone in the group's evolution. These countries bring substantial economic and demographic heft to the group. Asia, already home to two of BRICS' founding members, China and India, has become a focal point for the group's enlargement due to its dynamic economies, rapidly growing populations and strategic geographic location.

Malaysia as a BRICS partner and Indonesia as a full member bring robust manufacturing, technology and resource-based economies into BRICS. These countries also serve as vital trade hubs, strategically positioned within global supply chains. Their integration into BRICS enables enhanced trade agreements, technological cooperation and increased financial independence from Western institutions. The inclusion of Vietnam and Thailand as partner countries also further cements the ASEAN-BRICS nexus. These countries have demonstrated rapid industrialization and are pivotal players in global electronics and automotive supply chains. The continued expansion of BRICS in Asia is a testament to the shifting balance of economic power toward emerging markets.

One of the key drivers of BRICS' enlargement in Asia is the growing infrastructure connectivity across the region. High-speed railways, ports and digital infrastructure projects have facilitated the movement of goods, services and people, fostering economic integration.

The China-Laos railway, which extends into Thailand and Malaysia, has significantly reduced transportation costs and time, boosting trade and investment flows. Indonesia's participation in BRICS has been bolstered by infrastructure projects like the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, which was funded and constructed with Chinese assistance. These projects not only strengthen economic ties but also enhance political and cultural cooperation among member states.

BRICS' enlargement in Asia carries profound implications for the global order. It reinforces the group's role as a champion of multipolarity. By fostering economic interdependence, BRICS reduces the likelihood of conflict among member states. 

And BRICS' enlargement in Asia underscores the group's commitment to sustainable development. Many of the infrastructure projects funded by the New Development Bank and supported by BRICS members focus on renewable energy and green technology. This aligns with the global shift toward sustainability and positions BRICS in a growingly important role in addressing climate change and environmental challenges.

For Asian countries in particular, US tariff threats have highlighted the risks of over-reliance on the US market and the importance of diversifying economic partnerships. By moving closer to BRICS, countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have gained access to a broader network of trade and investment opportunities, reducing their vulnerability to US economic pressures.

The enlarging BRICS represents a transformative shift in the global economic and geopolitical landscape. By incorporating major Asian economies, BRICS has strengthened its position as a counterbalance to Western dominance and a champion of multipolarity. The growing trade and investment relations among Asian BRICS members, coupled with enhanced infrastructure connectivity, underscore the group's potential to drive sustainable development and regional stability.

The author is an adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology, senior fellow at Taihe Institute and former advisor to Kevin Rudd, former Australian prime minister. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn