Trump’s nightmare gets worse: Putin's 40-min phone call with Lula deals US a new BRICS & tariff blow

Days before his high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin is on a diplomatic blitz, rallying BRICS leaders to counter Washington’s escalating tariff war. After talks with China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi, Putin held a 40-minute call with Brazil’s President Lula, pledging stronger BRICS unity and pushing peace efforts in Ukraine. Trump’s steep tariffs on India and Brazil have only fueled BRICS’ resolve, with leaders vowing to expand trade and resist U.S. pressure. As Putin turns trade war into an ally recruitment drive, the Alaska summit stakes just got higher.