Anti-US Rhetoric Dominates Ongoing BRICS+ Summit in Indonesia, but Economic Reality Tells a Different Story

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — The XVII BRICS+ Summit entered its latest round of discussions this week with delegates once again calling for a world order that sidelines Western institutions — particularly the United States. Leaders from China, Russia, Brazil, the UAE, and others pushed for alternatives to the U.S.-led global financial system, but the enthusiasm inside the conference halls doesn’t match the economic dependence many of these nations still have on Washington.

The summit, which remains underway in the historic city of Yogyakarta, has focused on expanding and “reinventing” BRICS+ mechanisms such as local currency exchange, the BRICS Pay system, and the Russia-backed New Development Bank (NDB). Their stated goal: reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and Western financial institutions.

But as speeches grow louder, so does the contradiction.

Anti-American Posturing — Built on U.S. Trade

China, Brazil, and the UAE have been among the most vocal critics of U.S. influence, using the summit to speak out against what they call Washington’s “hegemony” in global trade and finance. Delegates openly discussed countering American power and accelerating a shift away from Western-led systems.

What went unmentioned: each of these countries is deeply interconnected with the U.S. economy. China relies on American consumers and technology, Brazil’s agricultural industry depends heavily on U.S. markets, and the UAE continues to benefit from American investment and security partnerships.

Analysts watching the summit have pointed out the hypocrisy: the bloc’s most outspoken critics of the U.S. are the same nations most dependent on it.

Internal Divide Inside BRICS+

While several members postured aggressively against the U.S., others were far more cautious. Indonesia and South Africa — both emerging economies with much to lose in any confrontation — urged what they called a “non-confrontational” path. Their delegations emphasized cooperation, not conflict, and warned that directly targeting the U.S. could backfire.

Meanwhile, Russia and China pushed for what they described as a “firm stance” against Washington, continuing years of geopolitical friction heightened by sanctions, trade disputes, and Moscow’s isolation from Western markets. Analysts noted that Russia’s position stemmed more from political necessity than economic logic, given its limited access to Western banking and trade channels.

The result: a fractured message from a group that claims to offer a unified alternative to the Western order.

Reality Check: BRICS+ Needs the West

Despite speeches about global transformation, BRICS+ still depends heavily on U.S. trade, investment, currency, and security networks. Efforts like BRICS Pay and the New Development Bank remain small compared to Western institutions. Local currency exchanges make for bold headlines, but most international transactions — including those of BRICS members — continue in U.S. dollars.

Even some delegates privately acknowledge that suddenly replacing the Western-built system is unrealistic. Without U.S. markets and financial stability, many BRICS+ economies would take heavy losses.

Can BRICS+ Replace the West? Not Anytime Soon

Leaders at the summit championed proposals to bypass the U.S. dollar and build new global institutions. But critics say BRICS+ continues to face the same fundamental issue: many of its members thrive on the very Western-led system they claim to reject.

NDB loans remain limited, BRICS Pay is still largely aspirational, and local currency trade is minimal compared to U.S. dollar transactions. For all the talk of global transformation, no practical plan emerged to replace Western-backed stability, transparency, and financial strength.

Even Indonesia’s representatives — speaking on home soil — made clear they had no intention of picking a fight with Washington. Their position reflects a reality shared by many in the bloc: the U.S. remains a critical trade partner, security ally, and technological powerhouse.

The Bigger Picture

For now, the summit continues with aggressive language but no breakthrough strategy. Leaders can talk about rewriting global rules — but the U.S. remains the economic center of gravity that BRICS+ members cannot afford to abandon.

If anything, the ongoing discussions in Yogyakarta have revealed something Washington already knows: BRICS+ is loud, divided, and heavily dependent on the very system it claims to resist.

And unless the summit produces more than rhetoric, the American-led global order is not going anywhere.