Washington’s Top Middle Eastern Allies Move Closer to China
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt set to join BRICS with Iran, Ethiopia
- Members may seek alternatives to US dollar for their trade
The move is part of a push by leaders of the BRICS nations to increase their influence and counter US power over the global economy and trade.
Photographer: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Some of the US’s top Middle Eastern allies — including the world’s biggest oil exporter — are moving closer into the orbit of China and Russia, further complicating geopolitics upended by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt are set to join the BRICS grouping of major emerging markets, after being invited Thursday during a summit in South Africa. They’re likely to become members at the start of next year, along with Iran, Argentina and Ethiopia.