Since the start of the year, the BRICS economic alliance and the US have seen tensions explode, and Saudi Arabia has unwillingly sat at the center. Indeed, their issues have reached a fever pitch amid a brewing trade war between the United States and China. Now, all eyes are on Riyadh and where its loyalties could lie in a geopolitical sense.

The country was among the first to be included in the bloc’s landmark expansion plan. However, since accepting an invitation to join, Saudi Arabia has yet to fully become a part of the collective. Now, that may never come, as it stands in a complicated position with both allies.

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Saudi Arabia Stands at the Center of US & BRICS Conflict: Which Side Are They On?

Since his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump has not minced words regarding the BRICS bloc. Indeed, he warned that the bloc would face a 150% tariff for its attempts at creating a currency to rival the US dollar. Moreover, it has hit China with import duty increases as high as 245% amid its ongoing challenges.

Those issues have only continued to fester throughout the year. Moreover, it has created a rather uncertain geopolitical dynamic for one nation at the center. Specifically, as the BRICS and the US face off, Saudi Arabia may soon be forced to choose a side. That is, if it hasn’t already done so.

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Saudi Arabia was present at a BRICS meeting last week, according to sources. Moreover, it is still considered a potential BRICS nation after accepting its invitation to join as an expanding country. However, that may not tell the whole story. Specifically, the country is worried that its BRICS relations will threaten its partnership with the US, Reuters reports.

Saudi Arabia “does not want to risk US anger as negotiations are underway in Washington,” the report noted. This created a notable balancing act between its US and Chinese relations. On the one side, China is its biggest oil exporter. Alternatively, Washington is a key security and tech partner.

The decision may have already been made due to its inaction; however, Riyadh has yet to officially join BRICS. Therefore, it may be able to salvage its relationship with China on its own. Subsequently, ensuring its partnership with both nations could endure, with only BRICS suffering in the end.