Why Xi Jinping Skipped the 2025 BRICS Summit and What It Means for Global Power

Why Xi Jinping Skipped the 2025 BRICS Summit: Deeper Implications In an unusual move that caught global attention, Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen not to attend the 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro — marking the first time in his leadership he has missed the event. His absence comes at a moment of growing uncertainty in the international system, with tensions between the United States and BRICS countries at a boiling point. President Trump’s recent escalation of tariffs and the fallout from US military actions in the Middle East have shaken diplomatic foundations. Xi’s decision to send Premier Li Qiang in his place, though not a diplomatic snub, signals a shift in Beijing’s strategic calculus. China appears focused inward — dealing with its economic slowdown and preparing for a pivotal political conclave later this year. Internally, China faces pressure from youth unemployment, supply chain decoupling, and the ongoing challeng...