The BRICS economic bloc has invited six countries to become new members: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The BRICS leaders wrapped up their 15th annual summit on Thursday. “We have reached agreement on the guiding principles, standards, criteria, and procedures of the BRICS expansion process,” said South Africa’s president.…
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The BRICS leaders stress “the importance of encouraging the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions” in their declaration released at the conclusion of their 15th annual summit. In addition, the BRICS nations have tasked their finance ministers and central bank governors to “consider the issue of local currencies, payment instruments, and…
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On Monday, S&P Global Ratings slashed ratings for five U.S. regional banks, pointing to the strenuous operating atmosphere plaguing the sector since the year’s outset. The impacted banks include Associated Banc Corp., Comerica Inc., KeyCorp, UMB Financial Corp., and Valley National Bancorp. Simultaneously, the outlook for two others has been dimmed to negative. Turbulent Waters:…
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Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stated that the BRICS economic bloc does not want to be “a counterpoint to the G7, G20, or the United States,” emphasizing that the BRICS nations “just want to organize ourselves.” The Brazilian leader also pushed for “the creation of a currency for trade and investment transactions…
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Chinese President Xi Jinping stated at the BRICS summit that “What people in various countries long for is definitely not a new Cold War or a small exclusive bloc.” He stressed that the BRICS group will expand and promote global multipolarity. “Hegemonism is not in China’s DNA; nor does China have any motivation to engage in major-power…
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the BRICS summit that “A balanced, irreversible process of de-dollarization of our economic ties is gaining steam.” The Russian leader stressed: “We oppose hegemonies of any kind and the exceptional status that some countries aspire to, as well as the new policy it entails, a policy of continued neo-colonialism.”…
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An economist has dismissed the Chinese yuan as a significant threat to the U.S. dollar’s dominance. “The Chinese renminbi, which accounts for less than 3% of global reserves, is not a serious threat to dollar hegemony,” he asserted, adding that “many commentators have pointed to the probable emergence of a ‘multi-currency’ world in which the…
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Economist Peter Schiff has warned that the Federal Reserve has gotten its policies wrong for 20 years, which has “significantly harmed the economy and made dire consequences inevitable.” Emphasizing that the Fed cannot win its fight against inflation, he stressed: “The markets are confident that the Fed is going to pull this off. It’s not…
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South Africa, the host of the BRICS summit this year, has confirmed that more than 40 heads of state will participate in the summit that will take place on Aug. 22-24. South Africa has also claimed that 23 countries have formally applied for BRICS membership. 40+ Heads of State to Participate in BRICS Summit Nelson…
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A top Indian official has downplayed the creation of a shared BRICS currency. Emphasizing that “common currency discussions have several prerequisites before you can even talk about a common currency framework,” the official stressed that the BRICS nations have focused on boosting settlements in national currencies. Indian Foreign Secretary on BRICS Currency India’s Foreign Secretary…
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