BRICS NEWSFLASH

* S1.E22* Brazil Hands BRICS Presidency to India* December 15 handover after Rio summit review.* Focus: What India’s 2026 chair means – cautious on de-dollarization vs. Russia/China push.* Angle: Implications for bloc unity; West watches for slower pace.* Indonesia’s $1B Boost to New Development Bank* Late December: Indonesia commits big to NDB, fueling “de-dollarization economy.”* Angle: How NDB loans in local currencies grow alternatives to World Bank.* Tie-in: BRICS vs. West development financing competition.* BRICS Enters “Second Stage” of Expansion* Russian Sherpa Ryabkov (December 16): Partner countries category opens door for more joins.* Angle: Who’s next? Malaysia’s partner status boosts resilience.* Implications: Growing Global South bloc vs. Western alliances.* Local Currency Trade Hits Milestones* Reports: ~90% intra-BRICS trade in national currencies; bilateral deals surge.* Angle: Real de-dollarization progress (rupee oil, yuan energy) without common currency.* West counter: Dollar still 88% global.* Gold Demand Soars Amid BRICS Narrative* BRICS controls ~50% production; central banks buy records.* Tie to Unit pilot adjustments and gold at all-time highs.* Angle: Commodity leverage for multipolar finance.* Trump’s Tariff Threats vs. BRICS* Repeated warnings of 10-100% tariffs if bloc pushes anti-dollar moves.* Angle: Chills enthusiasm? Brazil/India cautious response.* Implications: West pushback on de-dollarization.* Unit Pilot Reality Check Update* Late December: Still tiny (100 Units), no official backing, value tweaks due to gold swings.* Angle: Roast-friendly – hype vs. research prototype.* Cardano silence, no on-chain proof.* Malaysia Joins as Partner Country* Boosts economic resilience; ties to broader expansion.* Angle: ASEAN integration into BRICS – multipolar Asia shift.* NDB’s Rupee Bond Plans* First Indian rupee-denominated bond by March 2026.* Angle: Local currency financing growth; challenge to dollar debt.* BRICS AI and Tech Cooperation* Discussions on shared AI development for Global South needs.* Angle: Multipolar tech race vs. Western dominance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wgowbrics.substack.com