BRICS vs ASEAN in 2026 Shows Why Alignment May Backfire
The geopolitical tension between BRICS and ASEAN in 2026 highlights the risks of economic alignment. Indonesia's full BRICS membership, alongside Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam's partnership status, has drawn retaliatory tariffs from the U.S. President Trump's administration threatens an additional 10% levy on Indonesia, compounding existing 32% tariffs. Thailand faces 36%, Malaysia 24%, and Vietnam 46%—a clear signal of Washington's punitive stance toward BRICS-affiliated economies.
ASEAN's non-alignment strategy is under strain as both Western and Eastern powers exert pressure. The bloc's strategic autonomy hinges on balancing structural dependencies without ceding sovereignty. Lina Alexandra of Jakarta's Centre for Strategic and International Studies warns of escalating trade vulnerabilities tied to BRICS currency dynamics—a reckoning for Southeast Asia's economic diplomacy.
