US not looking at Brics as geopolitical rival, says White House ahead of summit

The White House Press Secretary's remarks came ahead of the two-day 16th Brics Summit slated to begin in Russia's Kazan city on Tuesday.

In Short

• US focuses on global partnerships to achieve shared goals, says White House press secretary
• US to continue working on relationships with Brazil, India, South Africa
• 16th Brics Summit to begin in Russia today

The US is focused on working with partners around the world, and it does not view the Brics grouping "evolving into some kind of geopolitical rival", White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Her remarks came ahead of the two-day 16th Brics Summit slated to begin in Russia's Kazan city on Tuesday.

When asked at a press briefing on Monday if the US was concerned over this bloc of nations undermining Washington's economic or trade strength, Pierre replied, "We are focused on working with partners around the world and to build the deepest coalitions possible to help achieve our shared goals. That’s what we’re going to be focused on."

"We're not looking at Brics evolving into some kind of geopolitical rival. That’s not how we look at it... to the US or anyone else," she added.

The White House official emphasised that the US would continue working on "our relationships, partnerships with Brazil, India, South Africa".

"We’re going to continue to manage those relationships. And with China, for example, that’s going to be our focus right now."

Regarding a deal to develop new AI technologies signed in September between the US and United Arab Emirates (UAE), the newest member of Brics, Jean-Pierre was asked if Washington was concerned China or Iran getting access via Brics agreements.

"We have worked extensively with the UAE on advanced technology. That partnering is moving forward. And we believe it’s moving forward in the right direction. We recognise and this is why the President took executive action on AI," she replied.

"We recognise the potential good of AI and look forward to furthering that and solidifying our collaboration as we try to build the safeguards and protection. That’s why we did executive action on it."

An executive order is a legally binding directive issued to US federal agencies, department heads, or other federal employees by the President under his statutory or constitutional powers.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Brics is not anti-Western, but rather non-Western.

The two-day summit, under the theme "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security", will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues.