Home  Journals  National Interests: Priorities and Security  8(461) - 2026 August

Trade cooperation of the BRICS countries in the context of the association expansion: Dynamics, obstacles and prospects

Received: 18 March 2026

Accepted: 15 June 2026

Available online: 27 August 2026

Subject Heading: INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS

JEL Classification: F02, F15, F36, F55

Pages: 126-148

https://doi.org/10.24891/zgqfgo

Subject. This article focuses on the trade cooperation of the BRICS countries in the context of the association expansion.
Objectives. The study aims to explore the dynamics, obstacles, and prospects for the trade cooperation development between the BRICS countries.
Methods. For the study, I used general scientific methods, and methods of systematic, structural, comparative, quantitative and qualitative data analyses, grouping, classification, content analysis, scenario modeling, etc.
Results. The article establishes that cooperation between the BRICS+ countries is developing mainly with the predominance of bilateral trade, and reveals that the possibilities of intra-block trade in a number of BRICS+ countries are still underestimated. It also systematizes the cooperation problems in the BRICS+ countries, and gives scenarios for the trade cooperation development between them.
Conclusions. The dynamics, problems and prospects studied create new methodological foundations for improving the strategies for developing multilateral trade cooperation between the countries of the association and determining long-term guidelines for Russian foreign trade activities.

Keywords: BRICS, BRICS+, trade cooperation, barriers, BRICS+ vulnerabilities, BRICS+ development scenarios, configuration of the world order

References:

1. Matkovskaya Ya.S. [Deglobalization processes in the global economy and prospects for its innovative development]. Ekonomicheskii analiz: teoriya i praktika, 2023, vol. 22, iss. 1, pp. 4–28. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ea.22.1.4 EDN: ZNQHTU
2. Matkovskaya Ya.S. [Studying the investment aspects of development of cooperation of BRICS countries]. Drukerovskii Vestnik, 2025, no. 4, pp. 42–60. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.17213/2312-6469-2025-4-42-60 EDN: INITWU
3. Gusarova S.A. Role of China in the development of trade and FDI cooperation with BRICS countries. China Economic Review, 2019, no. 57. DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2019.01.010 EDN: RCATHR
4. Kirton D.D., Larionova M.V. [The first fifteen years of the BRICS]. Vestnik mezhdunarodnykh organizatsii: obrazovanie, nauka, novaya ekonomika, 2022, vol. 17, iss. 2, pp. 7–30. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.17323/1996-7845-2022-02-01 EDN: TGHDUF
5. Cooper A.F. [Reframing the debate over BRICS beyond its conceptual origins]. Vestnik mezhdunarodnykh organizatsii, 2022, vol. 17, iss. 2, pp. 31–49. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.17323/1996-7845-2022-02-02 EDN: IECRTV
6. Cooper A.F. BRICS: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2016, 144 p. DOI: 10.1093/actrade/9780198723394.001.0001
7. Hopewell K. The BRICS – Merely a fable? Emerging power alliances in global trade governance. International Affairs, 2017, vol. 93, iss. 6, рр. 1377–1396. DOI: 10.1093/ia/iix192
8. Contipelli E.P., Picciau. S. [Institutional status of BRICS and pragmatic cooperation: The case of South America]. Vestnik mezhdunarodnykh organizatsii: obrazovanie, nauka, novaya ekonomika, 2015, vol. 10, iss. 2, pp. 160–171. (In Russ.) EDN: SDBDVG
9. Mangani D.Ya. BRICS as a catalyst for global governance transformation: Beyond Western perceptions. MGIMO Review of International Relations, 2024, no. 17, pp. 46–64. DOI: 10.24833/2071-8160-2024-1-94-46-64
10. Kuznetsov D.A. [Network texture of world politics: Transregionalism of BRICS]. Mirovaya ekonomika i mezhdunarodnye otnosheniya, 2020, vol. 64, iss. 11, pp. 124–131. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2020-64-11-124-131 EDN: JJUNLA
11. Smirnov V.V. [The anti-American potential of the Russian economy in the BRICS structure]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2022, vol. 18, iss. 9, pp. 1720–1737. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ni.18.9.1720 EDN: QFRIPE
12. Shevchenko I.V. Malakhova T.S., Malakhov V.S. [Geostrategic economic cooperation of the BRICS countries: National interests and priorities]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2017, vol. 13, iss. 5, pp. 949–961. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ni.13.5.949 EDN: YOYPGL
13. Sousa F.J.F., Santos G.F.D., Ribeiro L.C.S. et al. Global value chains and intra-BRICs trade in value-added. Journal of Government and Economics, 2024, no. 16. DOI: 10.1016/j.jge.2024.100127 EDN: GPRJNC
14. Kim W.Ho. US tariff policy and a transformation of global trade architecture. Asia and the Global Economy, 2025, vol. 5, iss. 2. DOI: 10.1016/j.aglobe.2025.100120
15. Lee J., Hong E., Han J. Economic catch-up of BRICS and escape factors from the middle-income trap from a Schumpeterian perspective. Journal of Asian Economics, 2025, no. 100. DOI: 10.1016/j.asieco.2025.101966 EDN: PYEHOX
16. Stuenkel O. The BRICS and the Future of Global Order. Lanham, Lexington Books, 2015. 213 p. URL: Link
17. Yarygina I.Z., Borovikova O.A. [BRICS+ as a factor of economic growthand investment development]. Nalogi. Pravo, 2019, vol. 12, iss. 4, pp. 111–120. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.26794/1999-849X-2019-12-4-111-120 EDN: KGRMXM
18. Kovaleva E.I., Rastopchina Yu.L., Bozhkov Yu.N. et al. [Assessment of Russia's mutual trade with the BRICS countries]. Industrial'naya ekonomika, 2023, no. 2, pp. 14–19. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.47576/2949-1886_2023_2_14 EDN: NMNGAC
19. Jamel L., Derbali A., Lamouchi A. et al. [Trade openness and competitiveness: BRICS and sub-Saharan Africa countries]. Vestnik mezhdunarodnykh organizatsii: obrazovanie, nauka, novaya ekonomika, 2021, vol. 16, iss. 1, pp. 64–84. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.17323/1996-7845-2021-01-03 EDN: ZKPBRJ
20. Tkachenko I.Yu., Piskunov S.V. [Prospects for creating a free trade area between the BRICS countries]. Rossiiskii vneshneekonomicheskii vestnik, 2022, no. 7, pp. 30–51. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24412/2072-8042-2022-7-30-51 EDN: HSGITO
21. Arapova E.Ya. Chkoniya M.E. [BRICS trade potential: Challenges and prospects]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2016, vol. 12, iss. 7, pp. 152–165. (In Russ.) EDN: WFJZOT
22. Khmelevskaya N.G. [The BRICS-oriented foreign trade interests of Russia in the context of a new economic reality]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2015, vol. 11, iss. 24, pp. 47–59. (In Russ.) URL: Link
23. Li X. The International Political Economy of the BRICS. NY, Routledge, 2019, 218 p.
24. Nogueira Batista P. [Alternative currencies and payment systems: BRICS and other]. Rossiya v global'noi politike, 2025, vol. 23, iss. 1, pp. 46–64. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.31278/1810-6439-2025-23-1-46-64 EDN: SAAEBA
25. Morozkina A.K., Skryabina V.Yu. [BRICS and partnerships for sustainable development: Prospects for trade with least developed countries]. Vestnik mezhdunarodnykh organizatsii, 2021, vol. 16, iss. 1, pp. 85–106. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.17323/1996-7845-2021-01-04 EDN: DFRXJU
26. Guo Sh., Sun Yu., Demidov P. [The role of BRICS in international development assistance]. Vestnik mezhdunarodnykh organizatsii: obrazovanie, nauka, novaya ekonomika, 2020, vol. 15, iss. 2, pp. 125–140. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.17323/1996-7845-2020-02-06 EDN: JQGUAQ
27. Os'mova M.N., Gusarova S.A., Gusarov V.A. [New view on the determination of the integration potential of countries cooperation (On the example of BRICS group)]. Ekonomicheskie nauki, 2018, no. 159, pp. 67–70. (In Russ.) EDN: YTMEPJ
28. Piskulov D.Yu. [Monetary and financial cooperation of the BRICS countries: Problems and challenges]. Finansy i kredit, 2025. T. 31. № 9. S. 113–126. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/xlzqic EDN: XLZQIC
29. Filin S.A. [Introduction of the digital ruble and digital currency systems of BRICS+ central banks as tools for reducing sanctions risks and accelerating the process of de-dollarization of the global economy]. Finansy i kredit, 2024, vol. 30, iss. 12, pp. 2646–2665. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/fc.30.12.2646 EDN: OCRKTG
30. Nguen T.H. [On the impact of human and physical capital on economic growth in BRICS and Asian countries]. Ekonomicheskii analiz: teoriya i praktika, 2024, vol. 23, iss. 8, pp. 1550–1564. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ea.23.8.1550 EDN: DRFKRW
31. Anosov E.D. [The single supranational BRICS digital currency as a factor of independence from the dollar-centric international financial system]. Finansy i kredit, 2024, vol. 30, iss. 7, pp. 1660–1682. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/fc.30.7.1660 EDN: HFCPF
32. Rodionova I.A., Shuvalova O.V. [Assessing the prospective positioning of the BRICS in the world energy sector]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2023, vol. 19, iss. 1, pp. 167–188. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ni.19.1.167 EDN: WBMMVR
33. Asteriou D., Katsikas E., Spanos K. An optimum currency area index for BRICS: A Bayesian prediction model. Economic Modelling, 2026, no. 155. DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2025.107396
34. Syed A.A. Assessing the role of global and regional economic integration on financial inclusion among BRICS economies. Journal of Financial Economic Policy, 2025, vol. 17, iss. 6, pp. 922–945. DOI: 10.1108/JFEP-08-2024-0236
35. Kaur J., Singh K., Kumar P. et al. BRICS stock-exchange rate dynamics: Testing the portfolio balance approach. Development and Sustainability in Economics and Finance, 2026, no. 9. DOI: 10.1016/j.dsef.2025.100107
36. Alola A.A., Adebayo T.S., Lasisi T.T. et al. Moderating roles of technological innovation and economic complexity in financial development-environmental quality nexus of the BRICS economies. Technology in Society, 2024, no. 78. DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102581
37. Aslam A., Yu X., Akhtar G. From emissions to solutions: The role of green energy, environmental policy stringency, and political stability in achieving BRICS' carbon neutrality goals. Journal of Environmental Management, 2025, no. 395. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127871
38. Metel'skaya V.V. [Trends in the Russian-Chinese integration at the present stage of financial globalization and digitization of the economy]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2024, vol. 20, iss. 3, pp. 592–604. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ni.20.3.592 EDN: BBSSCI
39. Sidorov A.A., Boldina V.S. [Current problems of trade cooperation between Russia and Egypt]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2025, vol. 21, iss. 1, pp. 142–160. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ni.21.1.142 EDN: DGPQZW
40. Smirnov V.V. [Russia against the background of development trends in Asia, Europe and the Middle East]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2023, vol. 19, iss. 4, pp. 788–804. DOI: 10.24891/ni.19.4.788 EDN: BZYSWC
41. Khlopov O.A. [Energy sanctions against Russia: Results and consequences]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2024, vol. 20, iss. 10, pp. 1988–1998. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ni.20.10.1988 EDN: VPAEBQ
42. Varshavskii A.E. Dubinina V.V. [The development of Iran's industry during the period of sanctions]. Natsional'nye interesy: prioritety i bezopasnost', 2024, vol. 20, iss. 12, pp. 2255–2272. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/ni.20.12.2255 EDN: ECQJMQ
43. Beeson M., Zeng J. The BRICS and Global Governance: China's Contradictory Role. Third World Quarterly, 2018, vol. 39. iss. 10. pp. 1962–1978. DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2018.1438186
44. Byrappa R. Comparing Immanuel Wallerstein's critique of the BRICS with that of the creation of the United Nations. Dvacáté Století, 2017, no. 2, pp. 73–86. URL: Link
45. Nuruzzaman M. Why BRICS Is No Threat to the Post-War Liberal World Order. International Studies, 2020, vol. 57, iss. 1, pp. 51–66. DOI: 10.1177%2F0020881719884449
46. Podkina K.Yu., Andreeva E.L. [Overview of the methodological approaches to the assessment of international economic integration]. Zhurnal ekonomicheskoi teorii, 2019, vol. 16, iss. 3, pp. 598–605. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.31063/2073-6517/2019.16-3.26 EDN: BKCJST
47. Ndzendze B. The South African case for a BRICS Plus treaty: Optimising imbalanced trade, tariff barriers, and expansions. Asian Review of Political Economy, 2025, vol. 4, iss. 1. DOI: 10.1007/s44216-025-00067-3
48. Checheneva N.S. [Specifics of non-tariff regulation measures in trade between Russia and BRICS countries: challenges and opportunities]. Pravo mezhdu Vostokom i Zapadom, 2025, no. 2, pp. 74–81. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.18572/3034-2953-2025-2-74-81 EDN: EFEJFI
49. Arapova E.Ya., Khmarenko E.S. [Russia in BRICS: The impact of non-tariff regulation instruments on export flows]. ETAP, 2018, 1, pp. 30–44. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24411/2071-6435-2018-10002 EDN: YSUWTE
50. Borisoglebskaya L.N., Lebedeva Ya.O., Chetverikov V.M. et al. Razvitie stran BRIKS v global'nom prostranstve: monografiya [The Development of the BRICS Countries in the Global Space: A Monograph]. Moscow, INFRA-M Publ., 2014, 224 p. EDN: UCEYQX
51. Ushkalova D.I. [Economic effects of regional integration: Myths and reality]. Vestnik Instituta ekonomiki Rossiiskoi akademii nauk, 2017, no. 4, pp. 120–137. (In Russ.) URL: Link
52. Matkovskaya Ya.S. [Studying the possibilities of enhancement for research and technical cooperation of the BRICS countries under transformation of the global order: A view from Russia]. Drukerovskii vestnik, 2025, no. 2, pp. 5–23. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.17213/2312-6469-2025-2-5-23 EDN: IKLZLL
53. Nie Q. Analysis of Economic Effects of the Establishment of the BRICS Free Trade Zone. International Journal of Business & Management Studies, 2023, vol. 4, iss. 2. DOI: 10.56734/ijbms.v4n2a1

View all articles of issue

ISSN 2311-875X (Online)
ISSN 2073-2872 (Print)

Journal current issue

ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2026

Archive