The recent conclusion of the BRICS Summit, coupled with the imminent G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, highlights the increasingly complex global dynamics between developed and developing nations. The proximity of these summits not only points to the expanding cooperation mechanisms among developing countries but also underscores the emerging rivalries in global governance. While the BRICS bloc has moved forward with historic expansion, adding six new countries to its ranks in January 2024, the G20 now faces the challenge of managing the shifting power balance in the world. As these developments unfold, speculation is rising around whether the United States is looking to use the G20 as a counterbalance to the growing influence of BRICS in an increasingly multipolar world.

The recent BRICS Summit marked the first full meeting of the group since its landmark expansion, bringing in Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This addition not only swells BRICS membership but also significantly increases the collective demographic and economic weight of the bloc. The expanded BRICS, now representing nearly half of the global population and boasting an economy that surpasses the G7 in purchasing power parity, has positioned itself as a prominent voice for the Global South. The goal of BRICS has always been to strengthen cooperation among emerging markets and to advance a fairer, more equitable international order—one less reliant on Western hegemony and more inclusive of diverse voices and interests.

Leaders at the BRICS Summit highlighted their commitment to multilateralism, discussing strategies to address global challenges, from climate change to economic inequality. This stands in contrast to what some view as the G7’s cautious stance on reforming the international order, rooted in maintaining a status quo that favors developed nations. Western critics have often expressed doubt about the capacity of BRICS to forge meaningful cooperation without Western financial support, underscoring a divide between developed and developing nations’ perspectives on economic growth and global governance.

The G20 was originally conceived as a platform for economic cooperation among the world’s largest economies, encompassing both developed and developing countries. However, as global governance issues evolve, the G20 is increasingly called upon to address challenges that extend beyond traditional economic concerns, such as food security, climate change, and public health. Yet, the divergence in priorities and agendas between the Global North and South is becoming more evident within this forum, which sometimes struggles to reconcile the conflicting interests of its members.

As BRICS gains influence, there are signals that the US and some Western nations may be seeking to leverage the G20 as a counterweight to BRICS’s rising prominence. Some Western analysts argue that BRICS’s expansion is little more than a “Sino-centric performative display of multipolarity.” However, these criticisms can be seen as expressions of unease about the Global South’s increasing autonomy and power in shaping global governance. Indeed, the friction between these major groups suggests a shift toward great-power competition, where multilateral platforms like the G20 and BRICS are drawn into broader struggles for influence.

The expanding power of the Global South, particularly through platforms like BRICS, challenges the longstanding dominance of Western-led institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and even the United Nations. BRICS countries argue that these institutions, shaped predominantly by Western agendas, often fall short in addressing the needs of developing nations. As a result, BRICS has been actively pursuing initiatives to reduce dependency on Western financial systems, from creating alternative financial institutions to exploring local currency trade mechanisms.

In this context, the BRICS expansion can be seen as more than a symbolic gesture. By adding six new members, BRICS strengthens its capacity to promote an alternative model for global governance-one less beholden to the economic and political interests of the Global North. As a counterbalance, the US may view the G20 as an opportunity to reassert Western influence over international economic and political discussions. The upcoming G20 Summit thus offers a critical moment for the US and its allies to re-engage with developing countries and demonstrate a willingness to address issues that matter to the Global South.

As the influence of BRICS grows, it is becoming increasingly difficult for traditional powers to ignore the perspectives and demands of developing nations. While the US and Europe have historically wielded outsized influence over global governance, the rise of BRICS signals an irreversible trend toward a more inclusive, multipolar world order. Developing nations are calling for a more equitable distribution of power, seeking greater representation in decision-making processes and a larger role in setting the global agenda.

The G20, as a platform that includes both developed and developing nations, has the potential to bridge these divides, but only if it can accommodate the voices and interests of the Global South. To counterbalance BRICS effectively, the US and its allies would need to move away from a hegemonic approach and instead embrace a model of cooperation rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. Failing to do so risks further alienating the Global South and driving more countries toward the BRICS bloc, which offers an alternative forum for advancing their interests on the world stage.

The US and its allies face a complex dilemma. On one hand, the G20 provides an opportunity to engage constructively with emerging powers and demonstrate a commitment to addressing the needs of developing countries. On the other, BRICS has laid down a clear challenge to Western dominance in global governance, drawing attention to issues like inequality and sustainable development that have historically received less attention from Western-led institutions.

As the G20 Summit approaches, there are signs that the US might advocate for reforms aimed at enhancing the inclusivity and representativeness of the G20. However, to make the G20 a viable counterbalance to BRICS, Western countries would need to address the underlying grievances of the Global South. This would require more than rhetorical gestures; it would demand meaningful commitments to economic equality, environmental sustainability, and a fairer distribution of global resources.

The convergence of the BRICS and G20 summits underscores the urgency of reshaping global governance in a way that reflects the shifting balance of power. BRICS’s expansion and the assertive stance of the Global South represent a call for a multipolar world order that values diversity and inclusivity. Whether or not the US will use the G20 to counterbalance BRICS, one thing is clear: the days of unipolar dominance are waning, and a new era of multipolar cooperation and competition is taking shape.

The task ahead for both BRICS and the G20 is to create a global governance framework that is more inclusive, representative, and capable of addressing the shared challenges of our time. In this evolving landscape, the US and its allies must choose between clinging to the old order or embracing the emerging multipolar reality. Only by acknowledging the aspirations of the Global South and working collaboratively across these platforms can global governance evolve in a way that meets the needs of all nations.

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