Chinese President Xi Jinping to Miss July 6-7 2025 BRICS Summit, Premier Li Leads Delegation Amid Opposition to Trump Tariffs and Putin's Absence

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the 2025 BRICS summit scheduled for July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro, marking his first absence from the annual gathering since taking office in 2013. The Chinese government cited a scheduling conflict as the official reason for Xi's absence and informed the Brazilian government accordingly. Premier Li Qiang is expected to lead the Chinese delegation in Xi's place. The summit will proceed without Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with only some original BRICS members such as India and South Africa sending their heads of state in person.

The BRICS nations are anticipated to adopt a stance opposing U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, describing them as illegal and harmful to the global economy. Discussions will also address conflicts in the Middle East and global arms spending, although the group is expected to avoid direct confrontation with the United States. The meeting reflects the bloc's ongoing efforts to assert influence on global economic and geopolitical issues amid the absence of two of its most prominent leaders.