BRICS Or Washington : Saudi Arabia’s Geopolitical Dilemma

In a world where geopolitical fault lines are shifting rapidly, Saudi Arabia is playing a delicate role between two rival blocs. Solicited by the BRICS, but still closely linked to the United States, Riyadh is hesitating, suspending its official membership despite signs of openness. While Beijing entices with its economic promises and Washington brandishes the tariff threat, the kingdom is keeping its options open. Does this tactical ambiguity mask an already decided strategic direction, or does it prepare for a major rebalancing on the global chessboard?

A climate of confrontation : rising tensions between the BRICS and Washington

The past few months have seen an intensification of open tensions between the United States and BRICS countries, in the context of a trade war between Washington and Beijing. These tensions have translated into radical economic measures.

US President Donald Trump has thus warned that “the BRICS bloc would face a 150% customs tax for attempts to create a currency competing with the US dollar”.

This statement is part of a broader offensive : the United States have imposed tariffs on China of up to “245 %” on certain products, which has exacerbated an already deeply rooted strategic rivalry.

Behind these punitive sanctions lies a clear desire by Washington to preserve the hegemony of the dollar in global trade, against a coalition campaigning for dedollarization. The BRICS, through their common currency project and expansion strategy, appear as a systemic threat in the eyes of US authorities. Several key elements illustrate this rising tension :

• An active trade war : tariffs imposed on China have reached up to 245 %, targeting notably sensitive technology sectors ;
• Open pressure on the BRICS : the common currency project envisaged by the bloc triggered an immediate reaction from the United States in the form of massive tariff threats ;
• A poorly perceived expansion : new invitations launched by the BRICS to countries like Saudi Arabia are interpreted in Washington as acts of strategic alignment ;
• Growing economic polarization : the current global climate is pushing each regional power to clarify its alliances, at the risk of causing deep rifts.

In this context, countries courted by the BRICS, especially those with a historic partnership with the United States, find themselves caught in a dynamic where every decision, or even non-decision, becomes a political act with heavy consequences.

Riyadh’s balancing act : between diplomatic silence and geostrategic calculations

While Saudi Arabia initially accepted the BRICS invitation to join the bloc as part of its expansion, it has still not proceeded with formal integration. Despite its presence at a BRICS meeting last week, “the country has not yet officially joined the alliance”.

This voluntary delay, far from trivial, seems to reveal a strategy of hesitation dictated by sensitive bilateral stakes. Riyadh “does not want to risk provoking the anger of the United States while negotiations are underway in Washington”.

This caution is explained by the very nature of relations between Saudi Arabia and its two main partners. On one side, China represents an essential oil client and a major economic player in Saudi Arabia’s diversification strategy, notably through Vision 2030. On the other, the United States remain a key ally in terms of security, technology, and diplomacy. Riyadh is therefore engaged in a delicate balancing act that requires it to delay its formal alignment with the BRICS to preserve its strategic interests with Washington.